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call inner visions at 240 - 839 - 4260 to have a message delivered to iyanla vanzant . | how to contact iyanla vanzant 6 | inner visions is a workshop and personal development program founded and ran by iyanla vanzant . alternately , you can send a letter to iyanla vanzant in care of inner visions at inner visions institute for spiritual development , p . o . box 8517 , silver spring , md 20907 . |
tweet dr . phil . interact on facebook . comment on his blog . connect via pinterest or instagram . | how to contact dr . phil 2 | if you have a twitter account , you can tweet dr . phil by tagging your comment with drphil . dr . phil primarily uses his twitter account to promote the show , not to interact with viewers . this is not the best way to contact dr . phil if you would like a response . you can follow dr . phils twitter content and view his profile . dr . phil probably does not operate his own twitter account . you will most likely be corresponding with a member of his staff . there is a separate twitter account i . e . thedrphilshow for the dr . phils show . if you have a facebook account , consider liking dr . phils pageand sending him comments and messages through it . dr . phil mainly posts to promote the show and does not interact with viewers . however , his facebook page is a good place to talk with other people that like the show . you can comment on articles , statuses , and remarks posted by dr . phil or you can make your own public comments on his page . alternatively , consider sending him a private message by clicking on the blue message button at the top of the page . dr . phil probably does not operate his own facebook page . you will most likely be corresponding with a member of his staff . dr . phil updates his blog , turning point , consistently . you can follow his posts and offer your own ideas in response by leaving him a comment . he probably will not reply to your comment . his blog is more of a community for people that enjoy watching his show . when you find a post that you want to comment on , you will need to provide your name and e - mail address . your e - mail address is required , but it will not be made public on the blog . you also have the option of providing a link to your website . if you have your own pinterest profile , you can follow dr . phils pinterest page and comment on the information he pins there . dr . phil also has an instagram page . his name on instagram is drphil . if you are a member of instagram , you can follow him and like and comment on his posts . you cannot leave any general comments for dr . phil on his pinterest page , but you can comment on any of the content he pins . |
reserve a place in the audience . ask to be on the show . create your story submission . | how to contact dr . phil 3 | reservations for a seat in the audience are free and can be made by phone or online . do not send in multiple requests to be on the show . wait for a member of the audience department to contact you regarding tickets . to make a reservation by phone , call 1 - 323 - 461 - phil 7445 or use the shows tty number is 1 - 323 - 956 - 3390 you can also make a reservation online . under advance reservations , click on the season you wish to reserve a seat or seats for . you will be redirected to the appropriate form . include your name , birthday , e - mail address , mailing address , and phone number . in the message field , indicate which filming date you wish to place a reservation for . admission to the show is on a first - come , first - serve basis . even if you get tickets to the show , it is not guaranteed that you will get to see the taping . get there as early as possible . if you are trying to get on the show with 10 or more people , you will need to fill out a different form . the show tapes in hollywood , california at paramount studios on mondays , tuesdays , and wednesdays . you will need to arrive between 800 and 815 am and be done around 100 pm . the show usually tapes from august to the middle of december and from january to the beginning of may . if you want to talk to dr . phil as a guest on his show , you can send your story in via his website . if dr . phil and his producers are interested in it , they may invite you to be on the show . dr . phil gets many request to be on the show , and he may not be able to respond to your email personally . you will need to go online and look at the list of upcoming topics . once you have found a topic that applies to you , click on it to be redirected to the appropriate online form . once you navigate to the correct form , you will need to explain your story in the message field . you will also be required to provide your first name , last name , birthday , e - mail address , street address , city , state , zip code , country , and daytime phone number . if you have a photograph or document connected to the topic , you can also upload it via the same form . if you are under the age of 18 , a parent or guardian will need to fill out the form for you . please be careful with the information that you send in . your material can be used on the show or the website without contacting you first . to increase your chances of getting on the show , submit a story about a topic that the dr . phil show is currently working on . his website maintains a list of upcoming topics with specific questions you should answer as part of your submission . your chances of making it on the show are slim because the show receives thousands of submissions every day . you can submit a story that is not being covered in an upcoming show , but you may not hear back from the show . make your submission clear and concise because you only have 250 words to tell your story . state your problem and avoid unnecessary background information . you are allowed to upload a photo with your submission as well . tell the most important parts of your story that are directly related to the topic . for example , if the topic is about a crazy ex , your story should highlight the specific crazy actions of your ex . you would not give background information about how your ex was nice at the beginning of the relationship or where you met your ex . always tell the truth in your submissions . do not exaggerate or lie to make your story more compelling . the show staff conducts a lot of background research before guests appear on the show . |
support lennys charitable causes . lenny kravitz has used his fame to advance causes that are close to his heart , with amnesty international , artists against racism and rock the vote counting among some of the best known . try to catch him after one of his shows . lenny kravitz has a busy touring schedule . contact his booking agent . all major artists have booking agents that help them with planning out future shows . contact his manager for an interview . the majority of artists are open to interviews with media outlets . be realistic . | how to contact lenny kravitz 1 | aligning yourself with or even supporting one of these causes may get you your foot in the door . if youre just a fan , volunteering for a cause like this will give you and kravitz some common ground beyond the regular fan dynamic . lenny kravitz is also devoutly christian . although being christian isnt necessary in order to contact lenny , you should at least have a respect for his beliefs if you want things to go over well . although chances are slim that youll get a word in alone with him , you can try hanging out by his tour bus or limo by the venue after the show is over . keep in mind , however , that you may have to compete with other fans for his attention . even if your reasons for contacting him are legitimate , it will almost certainly be difficult to make yourself heard . there may be vip ticket options for an upcoming show in which you can meet and greet with kravitz beforehand . if your prospective business with kravitz is related to a show , you can make things happen via his booking agent . although they wont respond unless you have the proper down payment available , getting a hold of a celebrity via one of their proxies is easily the most professional way you can go about it . you can also write a letter and message to lenny kravitzs agent , troy blakely . address it to agency for the performing arts , 405 south beverly drive , beverly hills , ca 90212 . interviews are a mutually beneficial arrangement , as it attracts mutual buzz to both the outlet and artist . to look into an interview with kravitz , contact his manager at delafont artist management . a minimum of 10000 is required to interview kravitz . you can reach kravitzs manager , craig fruin , directly by calling 310 - 550 - 5240 . it is explicitly stated on the delafont website that interview opportunities are not intended for fans who simply want to talk . you need to be affiliated with press or media first in order to do this . as with any celebrity , getting in contact with someone as famous and busy as lenny kravitz is a slim chance at best if youre starting from scratch . unless youre already well - established in the music business , you shouldnt keep your fingers crossed that youll be able to reach him . you are best off contacting his manager or agents rather than trying to contact lenny right off the bat . |
send lenny a tweet via twitter . if youre trying to reach lenny kravitz purely to show admiration , you may do so via social media . make a post on his public facebook page . like twitter , facebook is another good place to make a post . mail lenny kravitz a fan letter . if you have love for an artist , you can always send some love the old fashioned way a mailed letter . shout your support in the front row at one of his concerts . | how to contact lenny kravitz 2 | all major celebrities have social media pages , and lenny is no exception . although many celebrities enlist the help of social media wizards to make posts for them , some are known to browse the fan comments . reply to his tweets by using lennykravitz at the start of a tweet and then writing a message to him . this will be listed in the reply section of his homepage . at the very least , your fan appreciation wont go unnoticed by other fans of lenny kravitzs work . while twitter promotes interaction between fan and celebrity a little more , its worthwhile to double your post on both sites . if you want a potential response , keep your message as to - the - point as possible . celebrities dont usually have time to look into more in - depth responses . unlike some celebrity pages , lenny kravitzs fanpage unfortunate does not have a private messaging setting . this means that any post you send to him will have to be public . a strictly fanmail service is available to as a buffer between fan and celebrity . you may choose either to write a one - way letter or include extra postage to invite the possibility of kravitz writing back to you . although postage fees are incurred in this move , youll have a higher chance of being noticed this way as opposed to the thousands that opt for the convenience of social media . you can send lenny fanmail directly using this address lenny kravitz , press here publicity , 138 west 25th street , 9th floor , new york , ny 10001 , usa if you snag a front row ticket at one of lenny kravitzs performances , youll be within shouting range of the man himself . although hell be busy doing his show , musicians arent beyond having a few words with front row members in between songs . show your enthusiasm and cheer to let kravitz know how much you appreciate his music . |
determine how many members you hope to have . keep gender in mind . bear in mind age and circumstance . contact your friends . post an ad . comb through online communities devoted to romance fiction . post on related forums , as well . | how to start a romance book club 1 | too few members may mean that the conversation will run dry too soon , while too many members could make some uncomfortable and may make it impossible for everyone to get a turn to talk . consider the atmosphere you want to create . generally , romance book clubs tend to be a little more personal and close - knit , so you may want to shoot for a limit of four to eight members . women are generally more likely to join a book club , and this is especially true for romance book clubs . while you probably wont have many men asking for admittance , you should still decide whether or not to even allow them to join . romance novels tend to be fairly intimate , and some women may feel uncomfortable talking about them in when men are around . a 16 year old single girl is likely to have different ideas about romance than a 32 year old married mother of three . you do not need to put a strict limit on who can join , but setting an age range may help your group to focus its interests . the easiest way to find new members is to ask friends and family with a passion for reading to join you . you can also spread the word to friends who would not be interested in joining , just in case they know someone who might be . put a flyer up at your local library , take out an ad in the paper , or post about your new club on a free classifieds website with a section for your region . describe the purpose of your group , the types of romance books you plan on reading , and any restrictions on membership . message boards and blogs dedicated to the discussion of romance books are a good place to start . even though these websites already offer book discussions , a few of the members may be interested in breaking off into a smaller group to discuss a specific book . similarly , if enough members are from the same geographic location , they may want to meet in person to discuss their favorite romances . message boards tailored to women or those that discuss love and relationships are likely to have a few members who enjoy a good romance novel and have an interest in joining your club . |
meet in private . meet in public . meet online . decide how often to meet . set a few basic rules . figure out the format . make time for gossip . | how to start a romance book club 2 | if your group is small enough and your members are comfortable enough with each other , you can meet in your homes . as the groups leader , you can either hold each meeting in your own home or ask if anyone else would be willing to take turns hosting . no one should feel pressured into hosting , however . choose a public place that offers some level of privacy otherwise , the shyest of your members may not feel comfortable voicing her ideas and opinions on the intimate details . think library conference rooms , restaurants with secluded seating , and sparsely populated parks . you can set up a small forum , chat room , blog , social media group , or e - mail group . this may make it difficult for any members who are not technologically adept , but this option also allows you to meet with members from virtually any geographic location . plus , you never need to worry about needing to cancel a meeting due to bad weather or construction . if you only want to meet whenever you finish a book , you may want to schedule your meetings on a monthly basis . if you want to meet periodically to discuss the book in the midst of reading it , schedule meetings on a weekly or bi - weekly basis . the biggest , most obvious rules are to show up and to read the book . you may not need to set up any official rules outside of that unless problems arise between members later on . will you consistently lead discussions , or should each member take a turn should you come up with a list of discussion questions to cover , or would members be better off saying whatever is on their mind it may take you a few meetings before you can figure out what discussion format works best for your group . reading about romance may make the members of your group want to talk about their own love lives , but doing so in the midst of book club takes away from valuable discussion time . instruct members who want to socialize to meet a little beforehand , or invite them to stay past your scheduled book club time . |
set the heat level . stick with one sub - genre . pick books from multiple sub - genres . venture into nonfiction . read a classic romance . select a current bestseller . ask for suggestions . read different books and compare . | how to start a romance book club 3 | romance books range from sugary sweet and innocent to saucy and erotic , and not every reader will enjoy both degrees . talk with your members to determine what level of heat everyone feels comfortable with . alternatively , you can start by selecting the heat level you would be most interested in reading and aim to find members with the same tastes . romance books generally fall under a specific sub - genre . if you want to keep things focused and simple , select one sub - genre and stick to books that fall into that category . generally , when most people think of a straight - forward romance novel , they think of contemporary romance . these books take place after world war ii and involved realistic characters and scenarios . to make things a little more interesting , mix up your sub - genres every now and then . you could start with a contemporary romance before switching to a historical romance . after that , you could branch into paranormal romance , romantic suspense , inspirational romance , or any other sub - genre . the goal of your club is to read romance books , but not every romance book is completely fictitious . give your members a refreshing look at reality by occasionally selecting a book based on a true romance . think of jane austen or the brontë sisters . the books these authors wrote describe romances that have resonated with readers throughout the ages . reading a classic here or there pays homage to these early pioneers of the romance genre . plenty of romance books make the bestseller list . if all else fails , simply choose a romance book that everybodys talking about . the outside interest in the book may spark even more interest inside your group . your members may appreciate your willingness to take their opinions into consideration . you can either take turns choosing , or you can each offer up a suggestion and take a vote . even though you should usually read the same book in order to facilitate more discussion , you can occasionally change things up by each selecting a cheap paperback romance of comparable lengths and compare notes . compare the characters , setting , and plot points to determine what works best out of each book . |
make a twitter account if you dont have one already . write a tweet . make a facebook account if you dont have one already . go to the jeremy kyle show facebook page . leave a comment . | how to contact jeremy kyle 1 | sign into your account . write a tweet with a comment or question you want to send to jeremy kyle . include therealmrjk in your tweet to reach jeremy kyles twitter account . alternatively you can visit jeremy kyles twitter page by going to httpstwitter . comtherealmrjk . you can click the button that says tweet to jeremy kyle . then you can write out your question or comment and hit send . sign into your profile . visit httpswww . facebook . comjeremykyle to view itvs jeremy kyle show page . write in the comments section of one of the posts to interact with the jeremy kyle show and other show fans . follow this account to get updates about the jeremy kyle and his tv show . |
browse the jeremy kyle show website . call or email one of the guest application contacts . include your phone number if youre emailing . | how to contact jeremy kyle 2 | go to httpwww . itv . comjeremykylebe - a - guest to see a list of guests that itv is looking to book for upcoming shows . this page includes a list of the type of guests that you can apply to be , and emails for each one . there are 11 categories of guests that you can apply for . inform them of the problem that you would like to be helped with on jeremy kyles show using one of these numbers or emails call tom at 0161 952 0782 if you would like to be on a jeremy kyle show featuring dna testing and test results . you can also email laura at laura . casaleitv . com . call gemma at 0161 952 0741 if you would like to be on a jeremy kyle show featuring breakups or other relationship issues . you can also email talkitv . com . call eleanor at 0161 952 0783 if you would like to be on a jeremy kyle show featuring a medical issue . you can also email eleanor at eleanor . leighitv . com . call casper at 0161 9520737 if you would like to be on a jeremy kyle show featuring child access . you can also email talkitv . com . call conner at 0161 952 0464 if you would like to be on a jeremy kyle show featuring bad parents or addictions . you can also email talkitv . com . call sam at 0161 952 0877 if you would like to be on a jeremy kyle show featuring a lie detector test . you can also email talkitv . com . call terri at 01619520782 if you would like to be on a jeremy kyle show featuring stolen valuables . you can also email talkitv . com . call itv employee alistair at 0161 952 0750 to discuss feuding family issues or other issues that are not listed . you can also email talkitv . com . if youre contacting the jeremy kyle show about being a guest via email , they request that you include your phone number in the email . that way they can get back to you as soon as possible . |
fill out the online form . dont buy tickets elsewhere . email if you have any questions . | how to contact jeremy kyle 3 | use the online form on jeremy kyles website to request tickets to the jeremy kyle show . it is located at httpwww . itv . comjeremykylebe - in - the - audience - show . you will need to include information such as your name , address and email address . you also need to be at least 18 to be a member of the jeremy kyle show audience . its stated on the jeremy kyle show website that tickets to the show are not sold , and can only be obtained by using the online form . if you see tickets to the show for sale on a different website , its most likely a scam . if you have any problems when applying or any questions regarding being an audience member you can send an email to jeremykyleaudienceitv . com . |
start collecting materials . establish members . work out the details . advertise , plan out the meetings . make it fun for all members . inspire others . compete in the fan club too . | how to start a harry potter fan club | there are some things you will certainly want the entire series of books 1 - 7 the entire series of movies 1 - 8 textbooks , etc quidditch through the ages , fantastic beasts and where to find them , etc a cd of your favorite wizard rock songs or just put them on your ipod merchandise , like the marauders map or the time turner a wand posters bonus feature disks you cant have a club with only you and your friend ask around and see if people are interested . contact people in your school , the library and bookstores . once you see that people would want to come to your club , then proceed with the rest of the steps . here are some things to think about where will it be find an empty room you can use and make it harry potter - ish . cover the walls in posters , display the merchandise , play wrock at all times , have a movie playing on some sort of screen , and make everything blue , green , red , or yellow . try to make it look like a common room , but with all four houses . find wall stickers of things like the hogwarts crest , the deathly hallows , etc and put them on the walls . think of a special time when you can hold a club meeting . for example , maybe every monday for an hour after school and you would also need a place to meet some suggestions for places would be a local park , a coffee house or the library . also , maybe you can alternate places with friends . like one day you could have it at your friends house , the next meeting at yours , etc . make posters and hang them up around town and on the local bulletin board . send emails to all of your friends , informing them about the club post on several sources of social media including facebook and twitter along with any other blogs you might have accounts with . you can read extracts from the harry potter series , play harry potter video games , do harry potter trivia and its better have many members . youre fans you know what to do , right you want to make sure all members of the group continue to be enthused right from the beginning till the very last meeting , so no group member ever misses any meeting . with so many harry potter fans out there , there are some people who arent . perhaps get them to join the club too . you club members shouldnt be the only ones to give feedback and perform duties and stuff . |
figure out what your book club will read , for both your first novel and in general . find a core group of people with a passion for reading . decide where to meet . set meeting time length . poll members of your club . announce your first meeting . start thinking of a cabinet . make a list of about five books and bring it to the meeting . be open to suggestions and constructive criticisms . ask members to enroll new members . | how to start a book club | will you be a general adult book club reading anything a teen mystery book club deciding on a theme or no theme , in the case of the first example will help you keep you group motivated and supplied with reading ideas . they could be friends , family , or acquaintances you know through various activities , but they should all love to read . also , make sure that this core group of members can commit to meetings on a regular basis . you dont want your entire group flaking out on you when you first begin , especially if the members are friends or you plan to serve alcohol , meeting your own home is a great idea . later , different members could host different meetings . if there are members that you are not quite as familiar with , or dont want to meet at your house , ask your local library about using some of their space for a book club . an hour is a good start . eventually , two hours or an hour and a half may work better if you add more members to your group . dont exceed two hours , because when meetings get too long people get bored . when people get bored , they quit coming to meetings . your club could end before it even begins if it gets a reputation of being boring . ask what books they have been reading and what times and dates work best for them to meet . set the date at least two weeks in advance , to allow for people to have time to read the book . three weeks is even better . send out e - mails a week before the meeting to give people a written reminder . for instance , vote for president , vice president , secretary , and get a few people for a club newsletter . this step is optional for smaller groups , but is very handy for very large groups of over ten or fifteen people . get ideas for books from the internet or library recommendations . let everyone discuss and vote upon what book to read for the next meeting . after deciding , let everyone get to know each other and discuss their reading tastes . serve snacks and refreshments . this can help start conversation and will keep people much more content . your refreshments dont need to be fancy or expensive cookies , breads , nuts , and popcorn are all good ideas . be mindful of vegetarian members or members watching their weight . actively invite suggestions from members at every meeting on how to improve the functioning of the club . request every member to bring in their book loving friends to the club . leave scope for prospective members to participate in meetings so that they can get a feel before actually joining . |
find a nearby library with a conference room . ask the library if a book club already meets there . fill out the necessary paperwork . ask if the library allows refreshments . figure out the type of books you plan on reading . decide how often to meet . figure out when to meet . | how to start a library book club 1 | many public libraries have conference rooms that are open for public use , but private libraries or public libraries in smaller towns may not have a conference room within the facility . if your city or county does not have an available room , look for a nearby library that will allow you to set up a club even if you are outside of its district . some libraries may not want more than one library book club to meet on the premises . others may not mind , but remember that many people who want to be part of a library book club may already be members of the other club or clubs . most libraries do not require extensive paperwork to start a new club , but almost all libraries will have some . at the very least , the library will probably ask you to read a list of rules about hosting a club and to sign your name to a sheet of paper , documenting that you read those rules . most public libraries are fine with light refreshments , such as punch as cookies , as long as they are kept within the conference room . not all libraries are fine with it , however , so you should check before deciding whether or not to provide any at your meetings . ask yourself if you want a book group that is limited to literary books or to a certain genre , or if you want a group that is open to any genre . most book clubs meet about once a month . meeting on a monthly basis gives most members ample time to read each book . moreover , a monthly meeting does not overtax library resources . as a general rule , weekdays work better for more people than weekends . if you want to attract a crowd of retirees or stay - at - home moms , meeting in the late morning or early afternoon works best . if you want to attract teens , you should shoot for the early evening . if you want to attract college students or working adults , the late evening may work even better . stick with one set day out of each month , such as the third tuesday or the fourth thursday . go with a day of the week instead of a date , since dates can fall out on the weekend just as easily as they can fall out during the week . |
choose a number . write the perfect advertisement . advertise at the library . ask people you know . ask people you see . attend other library events and search for potential members . place an advertisement in the local paper . | how to start a library book club 2 | you need a minimum of three or five members to have an active conversation at each meeting , but you should not exceed a group of 12 or 15 . if you have more members than that , the odds of hearing from everyone who wants to speak are greatly reduced . include the basic information , such as the date and time you plan on meeting as well as the types of books you plan on covering . also include an e - mail address or phone number that interested parties can use to contact you for further information or to rsvp to the first meeting . ask if you can place flyers at the check - out counter or near the computers . if not , find out if there is a bulletin board or anywhere else inside the library where you could hang a flyer . if your library is part of a large enough branch , it may have a website that lists the various events going on at the library . if so , request that your library adds your book club to the calendar . relatives , friends , and acquaintances are all good people to consider , especially if you know someone who loves reading . you can also ask people you know to spread the word to others . even if you do not know them personally , you can bring up your book club to workers or customers at the bookstore , members of your church , parents whose children go to school with your son or daughter , or patrons sipping coffee and reading a book in the local cafe . you can even invite the librarian to stop by your group . if your library hosts other clubs or one - day events , attend a few of these and find out if any of the members would be interested in joining a book club . since the people there are already familiar with events held at the library , they may feel more comfortable or willing to attend a library book club . if you cannot garner enough interest using more focused means , you can advertise your library book club in the local paper several weeks before the first scheduled meeting . you can also place a similar advertisement on a free online classifieds website . |
pick books that are available at the library . strike a deal with your library . choose books that are fairly complex . ask for opinions . come with questions prepared . ask each member to bring in a discussion question . | how to start a library book club 3 | one of the best parts about hosting a library book club is that it becomes far easier to borrow the book from the library instead of buying it . if you take this option , however , you need to stick with books that are popular enough to have enough copies for all your members within the district , but not so popular that all those copies will already be checked out by non - members . many libraries receive discounted rates on the books they buy . your library may be willing to buy books for your library book club at those discounted rates as long as you offer to donate the books to the library once you finish . getting first access to library books will be an incentive for people to join your club , which will draw more traffic into the library . simple stories do not lend themselves to much discussion . on the other hand , books that are controversial , books that raise many issues , and books with unclear endings or intricate details usually offer a lot to talk about . once you have a solid member base built , you can begin taking requests and suggestions from your members . you can either take turns choosing or put each suggestion up for a vote . create at least 10 to 15 open - ended questions for each book . do not allow members to simply state that they liked or did not like the book . ask questions that encourage them to explain why they have the opinion they have . since every member will be reading the book from a slightly different perspective , you may find yourself surprised by how varied the questions and ideas will be . |
create a reading timeline with your book club members , accumulate some information on tim obrien , the author of going after cacciato . schedule in - person meetings with your book club members . read the book , consider reaching out to learn about real war experiences . have an after book discussion to further deepen your understanding of the text . | how to run a book club for going after cacciato by tim obrien | one of the most crucial aspects of your book club will be to create a schedule that works for everyone . especially with this book , reading in sync is key . tim obrien uses ambiguity in going after cacciato to illustrate themes , and you dont want any member of the group reading too far ahead , or falling behind . try to work around peoples work obligations , so that you can read in larger chunks . the book is larger than most , and will take time to complete . a reading schedule is a helpful tool to begin your book club on going after cacciato . understanding his background and personal experiences are extremely important to understanding the author . tim obriens life is reflected in his writing , and the more familiar you are with who he is and how he writes , the more comfortable you will be with this text . these socratic seminars if you will , will allow all members to articulate questions theyve been having as well as other thoughts and opinions on the book so far . its wise to schedule these meetings along with your reading timeline , so that you can discuss the book at certain stopping points . keep in mind the obligations of your group members . since these meetings involve talking with one another , its important than all or most group members can attend . this is where in depth analysis of the book and its themes occurs . going after cacciato is a unique book that describes the mental and physical journey of an inexperienced soldier named paul berlin . the story switches between several realities , and can thus be moderately confusing . its important to ask questions as you read , and maybe even write down your thoughts . tim obriens writing is blunt , but provided deep insight into the life and minds of those who fought for their lives in the vietnam war , and for those who decided to put down their guns . and run . when you have reached the halfway point in this book , your next step is a voluntary trip to a veterans home . take some time to meet with vietnam war veterans , or veterans from another time in history . hearing the real war stories of the men and women who served so bravely only fuels our understanding of the world around us . experience is the anecdote to ignorance . remember to be respectful of all veterans , and recognize their importance in our countrys history . this book is merely a reflection of that struggle . going after cacciato is a book with many layers , so it can enjoyable to discuss what you learned from it . also , talk about what you liked and didnt like . here are some sample questions to further his discussion did you like this book why or why not who was your favorite character did any themes strike you was this novel different than previous ones youve read do you disagreeagree with any claims made in this book was this book easy or hard to read would you recommend this book to a friend |
set an intention . invite potential members to join . decide how large youd like your group to be . decide how structured youd like your meetings to be . plan for logistics . choose which books to read as a group . consider a social break or movie night to transition from book to book . | how to plan a successful book club | starting a book club is easier than you may think , but it all begins with a clear intention . setting a proper focus for your book club can help alleviate frustration and disappointment down the road for yourself and other book club members of your group . you can extend invitations via phone call , an in - person conversation , email or text message . keep in mind , the more personal the invitation , the more likely youll get a yes . , for example , where will meetings be held will one person always host , or will members take turns are refreshments provided potluck style , or does the host supply snacks and drinks is alcohol allowed or encouraged or reserved for after - meeting socializing the group should come to agreement on these issues and other logistics . this is by far the most collaborative part of creating a book club . refer to the tips section for suggestions on choosing reading selections . |
figure out where to meet . decide how often to meet . choose when to meet . know how long you expect each meeting to take . set some ground rules . keep in touch . offer refreshments . | how to start a business book club 1 | you will likely want to keep the meetings professional , so personal locations like home should be avoided . conference rooms , whether at an office or in a library , are usually best for a business book club . if you cannot secure a conference room , meeting in a coffee shop or restaurant that has space for large , talkative groups to meet are the next best thing . standard protocol is once a month . meeting more often may make it difficult for members to keep up on a reading schedule , but meeting less often can make it hard for members to focus and many may lose interest . you must consider time and date . weekdays are generally better than weekends , since many people may feel hesitant about surrendering a portion of their saturday or sunday for book club . you should meet in the early evening , around 700 pm , to give your members enough time to come home and grab something to eat before going to book club . meeting too late may make it difficult for them to get a full nights sleep before getting up in the morning for work , though . stick with a consistent meeting date . for instance , choosing the first wednesday or the third thursday of every month will make it easier for your members to remember the meeting date and schedule around it accordingly . a standard length is about 60 minutes , but if you and your members are on a tight schedule , you might be able to shorten that to 30 minutes . conversely , if you want time to socialize or talk about non - club topics , you may want to schedule an optional 30 minutes for interested members to hang around and socialize after official meeting business is over . start with the basics . you dont need anything too extreme to keep your book club in working condition . the most important rules are to read the book before each meeting and to actually show up to the meetings . members who are unable to show up to a meeting should let you know beforehand . members who plan to come to a meeting should show up on time . everyone should show respect for one anothers opinions . no one should use the business book club as a blatant excuse to pitch his or her business . the business book club , much like the modern business world , benefits greatly from the use of technology . ask members for their cell phone numbers and e - mail addresses . each member should , at the very least , be able to communicate with one another via e - mail . you can also consider setting up a blog , forum , or other website for your business book group to use for communication purposes . these extra steps are not necessary , but they can be especially helpful for large or expanding groups . they dont need to be anything much . just about anyone will appreciate a pot of coffee and a box of donuts or a pizza and soft drinks . at the start , the expense will rest on your shoulders . once your business book club gains momentum , however , you can ask other members if they might also be willing to bring something edible to share . if your meetings happen in a place that already serves food , like a coffee shop or restaurant , offering your own refreshments is unnecessary . |
plan before the meeting . host at home arrange for a spouse or sitter to attend children . know the number of club members . time and place know where and when the meeting is held . food provide food according to time of day ex coffee , danishes , sliced fruit for morning - midday , wine with cheese and crackers in the evening . seating arrange enough seats for your guests to sit comfortably . room temperature set thermostat to a comfortable temperature . environment cleanse environment from bad smells , dirt , dust , or unsanitary details . punctuality be on time . read the book . notes make notes about the book . discussion topics decide 8 – 10 questions or discussion topics about the book . the next book know whether or not youre selecting the book for the next meeting . greet everyone with a smile and pleasant attitude . show your guests where they can put their things . inform guests whether or not the environment is non - smoking . get everyone settled with something to eat or drink . present refreshments in an obvious but not obtrusive spot . dont start immediately . introduce any new members . start the discussion . allow conversation to flow freely . let the others answer questions or discuss topics first . wrap up the discussion . plan the next meeting . thank everyone for coming . | how to lead a book group meeting | provide a comfortable setting for the discussion . ensure there is room for everyone both in the location and parking spaces . pets keep pets away from the meeting area . inquire if your guests have allergies or fears of animals . know how many are coming . plan for at least 3 more guests than you expect . know whether or not your group is looking for or introducing new members . make sure everyone else knows where the meeting is being held . provide clear directions . check to ensure your guests do not have allergies to ingredients such as peanuts . place chairs in a circular fashion to equalize guest and promote discussion . , you should be ready or arrive ten minutes before your guest to ensure everything is ready . make sure you read the correct book . if the book was hard to understand , research and make notes so that you understand the book and can explain it to others . if you make notes inside the book , mark your pages to find them immediately . know what youre going to discuss before the meeting . make sure your questionstopics promote discussion . do not ask yes or no questions . focus on themes , plot , characters , morals , messages , etc . stay away from i like or i dont like as the center of the meeting . understand the guidelines of your group and select a book accordingly . make sure the group has not read it previously . research basic information about your selection . write down the name of the author and book title with correct spelling . it is your job to make everyone feel comfortable in the environment . where the bathroom is . if it is not , show them where they can smoke . , this shows them that they are welcome to help themselves . guests will want to mingle after putting their things down . do so when everyone is seated . allow the new member to say a few things about him or herself . make the guest feel especially welcome and comfortable . dont be intrusive . you should already have your book and discussion topics ready . control any outside conversation . dont let conversation stray away from discussion of the book . if one of your guests has a question or topic that is not on your list , do not hesitate to let the group answer or discuss the topic . dont rush other members . let everyone take their turn speaking and presenting thoughts and opinions . decide who will host and what book to read . let them know you had a great time . |
know how many members to recruit . ask your co - workers . bring it up to your current business contacts . mention the club to others in your general field . spread the word through friends and family . advertise . | how to start a business book club 2 | the ideal size for a business book club is about 10 to 12 people . since most people will miss a meeting here or there , you will probably be short one or two people each meeting . having fewer members may make it difficult to get an active discussion going , but having more members may make it equally difficult for everyone to chime in during the discussion . unless you hate everyone at your office , the most sensible place to start is at your own place of work . odds are , you know many of the people there well enough to determine if they would make a valuable addition to your book club . you also know that many of their business interests will line up with your own , especially if they work in your department . if you just signed a new client or are in the middle of pitching a new deal , refrain from mentioning your book club since it has nothing to do with the business between you and the other party . if you are on good terms—a first name basis—with contacts from partnering companies , however , you could consider telling them about your new business book club via e - mail or during non - office hours . you will want to keep the subjects discussed at your book club fairly focused , and the best way to do that is to make sure that your members are all interested in the same thing . for instance , if you work in sales , you will probably have different interests than someone who works in the it department . even if none of your friends or relatives share your vision or are in the same field of business , they may know someone who is . tell your loved ones about your new book club and ask them to pass to word along to anyone they know who might be interested . put an ad in the local paper or post one on a free classifieds website . you can also scour business blogs and message boards that have posters who live locally . |
decide what type of business books your club will focus on . take requests . peruse bestseller lists and business blogs . pick out books in advance . share your thoughts and ask questions . encourage others to ask questions . | how to start a business book club 3 | there is a world of difference between books about starting your own business and books about climbing your way up the corporate ladder in an existing business . likewise , someone interested in reading about improving sales may not be as interested in reading about how to manage subordinates . decide what books your club will focus on before you start and let potential members know before they decide to join . ask your members for book suggestions . as the leader , you can have the final say about whether or not each suggestion will be taken . alternatively , you can put each request up for a vote or allow each member to take a turn selecting a book without taking any vote . the internet is a valuable resource . use it to find out about the business books that have grabbed the attention of professionals everywhere . if so many people are interested in a book , the information it contains may be worth adding to your own information bank . instead of choosing the next book to read immediately before having to read it , determine a roster of books several months in advance . that way , members have plenty of time to research what the book is about and to grab a copy of it . as the leader of the group , it is your job to get the ball rolling . mention a few key points you found interesting or a handful of ideas you feel skeptical about . ask questions that cannot be answered with a simple yes or no , and offer opinions that are open enough to be debated . a business book club is not a lecture , after all . make sure that anyone who has a question or idea has the opportunity to voice it . if your members are exceptionally quiet from meeting to meeting , you may consider twisting their arm a little by requesting that everyone bring at least one discussion question to each meeting . |
select the book youll be discussing . choose a meeting place . set the date and time . | how to host a book club 1 | book clubs use lots of different methods to choose new books . typically , the book selected for the next club meeting is decided during the prior meeting . books on the 100 best books list of a major periodical are good choices , as are current bestsellers . consider both fiction and nonfiction when choosing a book . some book clubs can be hosted in your home . if your home is too small to host the book club , or if you simply dont want to host the club meeting at your home , choose a communal location like a library conference room or a cafe . if you plan on hosting at a library , be sure to reserve a conference room well in advance of the book club meeting . you might not be able to get one at the last minute . if your book club has a regular meeting date and time for instance , 800 every first monday of the month , theres no need to set the date and time . however , if the date and time of your book club varies , decide when the meeting will occur and let the club members know . there are many ways to let club members know when the next meeting will be . you could , for instance , call each of them with the information . you could also send a mass email containing the date and time . if you prefer a more personal touch , you could mail out an invitation with the relevant information . |
designate a conversation leader . look up some study questions for your book . encourage club members to turn their phones off . ask club members to write down questions or comments . plan to socialize after youve discussed the book . | how to host a book club 2 | the structure of each book club is a bit different , and there are no strict rules regarding how to designate a leader . in fact , some book clubs dont have a leader at all . however , selecting a leader can help the conversation stay on topic and enrich the book club meeting . the book clubs host often doubles as the conversation leader . you could also choose to invite a subject matter expert to lead the meeting . for instance , if youre reading a book about the french revolution , you might invite a local professor of french history to lead the conversation . alternately , your book club might decide to choose a single leader who runs every book club meeting . english teachers , librarians , or authors often make good book club leaders . if youre both the host and the conversation leader , having some questions about the book is crucial to keep the conversation focused and flowing . even if you are not the conversation leader , though , having some questions ready to ask the group can make your meeting more enjoyable . if your book club is reading a well - known book , youll probably be able to find some study guides with questions in them online or in book stores . for instance , if youre reading 1984 , you might run a search like 1984 study questions through your preferred search engine . if youre reading a book that doesnt have questions available for it online , read the book carefully and come up with some open - ended questions that can elicit thoughtful reactions from club members . phones can be a serious distraction from conducting an effective book club . before the meeting begins , ask everyone kindly to turn their phones off . use a friendly tone when doing so . at the beginning of the book club , hand everyone a pen or pencil and an index card . encourage them to write a question or comment on an index card . collect the cards before you get started , then read them out loud or hand them to the conversation leader to read aloud . invite responses to these questions and comments . having book club participants write their thoughts on index cards can allow club members who are less outgoing to share their thoughts , too . this is also a useful method for facilitating conversation on controversial books . hosting and attending a book club should be fun , but some people like to use book club time to chat with friends . include a designated social time at the end of the meeting for such off - topic conversations . that way , people who are there to talk and think more about the book get the opportunity to do so . if a club member is talking excessively and wandering off - topic , help them refocus their attention on the book with gentle but firm directions . for instance , if someone is talking about their weekend plans instead of about what they think of the book , transition back to the conversation by saying lets talk about the third chapter . was anyone surprised by the protagonists decision |
select a theme for the book club . find out what sort of snacks your group wants . include some general book - themed decor . | how to host a book club 3 | in addition to regular snacks like cheese and crackers , look for simple recipes that reflect the cuisine of a particular region , country or setting in the book . for example , if the story was set in italy , you might serve bruschetta and italian wine . additionally , you could emphasize the theme of your club meeting by including some decor that evokes a character or setting from the book . for instance , if youre reading alice in wonderland you could purchase some themed items including coasters , candles , or decorative art that refer to alice and her adventures around the meeting space . dont forget to offer some beverages to help wash down the snacks . wine , water , coffee , tea , and soda are the easiest options . after deciding on the theme , ask for suggestions from book club members regarding what snacks theyd like , if any . if your meeting does not have a specific theme , simple snacks like crackers , cookies , and crisps are popular options . some book clubs are happy without snacks of any kind . others leave it to each group member to bring their own snacks . still others leave it to the host to prepare snacks or hors doeuvres . when hosting a book club , be sure to ask about food allergies and dietary preferences before preparing a snack . instead of selecting a specific book - related theme for your book club meeting , you might want to introduce general book - centric paraphernalia to set the mood . if youre hosting the club in your home , there are many options available for sprucing up a regular living room or other space with book club - themed items . for instance , you might be able to obtain pillow covers or pillows embroidered with images of books . you could place some bookish art such as art printed on book pages or paintings of people reading around the meeting space . |
go online and search for a group by using the keywords , online and book club . if you would prefer to be a part of a local online club , use the same keywords , but add the name of your city , county or state to narrow the results . | how to join an online book club | you can further narrow the results by adding keywords such as , science fiction , or romance , if you have a genre preference . there may not be a local online book club if not , look at the websites listed below to find a book club that appeals to you bookcrossing . this book club has a unique approach that many book lovers find intriguing . as the website name suggests , you select a book to send around the world so that other readers can enjoy it . log in to the site and enter a book online , then download , print and attach a label and donate the book . future owners of the book can log in for discussions with you and keep sending the book on its way . bookglutton . this is a true social reading experience . sign in via facebook and start inviting friends to join you . this virtual book club enables you and your friends to meet inside any chapter of a virtual book , and you can also make notes and comment on paragraphs—just like you would do in a real book . the copia . this online reading group directs you to read reviews and join discussion threads . you can also purchase a digital copy of the book you are interested in reading . goodreads . find other people who share your literary tastes on this site . goodreads will also analyze your reading predilections and suggest reading lists for you . shelfari . this popular website allows you to create your own virtual bookshelf collection , as well as connect with other readers to discuss your favorite reads . librarything . this website has more than 1 million users and bills itself as the worlds largest book club . in addition to joining and discussing your favorite books with scads of people all over the world , this site allows you to catalog your own book collection . you can catalog books from amazon , the library of congress and more than 600 libraries from around the world . you can enter 200 books for no charge , but as many as you like for a nominal annual fee . librarything is also available in more than 20 languages , and allows you to track your favorite authors . |
decide on your requirements . find a location for the initial meeting . make and distribute a flyer . this announces the time and place of the first meeting and any other relevant information , such as whether refreshments will be served . prepare a clipboard . prepare the meeting space . greet the potential members at the first meeting . start the first meeting by stating the agenda and making introductions . explain or decide how often , for how long , and where the group will meet and how much reading the group should generally get through from meeting to meeting . decide on the first book to read . make sure that you decide on a name by the end of the first meeting . break out the refreshments and chat . | how to start a book group | you should definitely allow the group to make most decisions , but if you have certain requirements for the club for example , if you just like to read science fiction or if you can only meet on thursdays , you should set them out ahead of time . if you feel comfortable inviting people into your home , you can have at least the first meeting at your house or apartment as long as you have enough room . otherwise , you can usually reserve space for free at community centers , libraries or churches , or you might try to get a bookstore to let you hold your meeting there . if you can find someplace convenient where you can hold regular meetings , the better . ask that people bring suggestions of books to read . deliver copies of the flyer to local bookstores , and put them up on community bulletin boards at grocery stores , churches , etc . you can also advertise online on the community pages of sites such as craigslist . be sure to clarify that the purpose of the group is to discuss books , not to order books together at a reduced price . caveat please be aware that broad advertising of book clubs can result in the occasional bad apple that can single - handedly ruin the discussion openness and tone . do this with caution . for the initial meeting , this should include at least two items a book suggestions page , where members can write down titles they recommend for the group , and a hosting and refreshments page where members can sign up for a date that is convenient for them to take these responsibilities . you also want to record the attendees names and contact details . a head count is not sufficient . for subsequent meetings , youll also want to include a coming soon page or the reading schedule for the next two or three meetings . this clipboard should make the rounds at every meeting . this clipboard should be placed online - - some sites offer book clubs that ability to post meeting dateslocations , sent automatic meeting reminders , and add sign - up sheets for discussion leaders and sign - up sheets for refreshments . an online clipboard also allows members to add online reading guides and connect to book reviews . also , a member should be chosen to send out an email with all the information on the clipboard like what the next book will be , what was discussed , possible book club names , etc . make sure the meeting space is clean and inviting . check to make sure the restrooms are properly stocked . most importantly , make sure you have enough chairs , and set up refreshments . introduce yourself and try to make sure that each guest feels welcome and comfortable . let them know youre glad to see them . if some of your guests dont know each other , go around and have everybody introduce themselves . you may also want to do this at subsequent meetings if new members are in attendance . ask that people tell the group a little bit about themselves and their reading interests . during the introductions , send the clipboard around so people can write down book suggestions and sign up to bring refreshments or , if necessary , to host . some issues to discuss are do you want to set rules about the books , such as pricing or content what are the members expectations of the group , and what are their responsibilities as members what is the groups policy on smoking , pets , tardiness , and telephone calls during book discussions are members allowed to bring their children if they dont have a babysitter some will not mind if children are present , others will . the tone of a meeting is very different if children are present . can members bring a guest of course , this is the best way to build book club membership . referrals and invitations from existing members minimize the aforementioned bad apple . can new people join , or is there a limit to the group size the ideal size is less than 10 - - otherwise , people just dont have an opportunity to discuss and contribute . the easiest way to do this is to simply pick a book yourself - - try to pick one , such as a current bestseller , with wide appeal - - but if you dont want to go out on a limb , you can decide as a group . ask that members bring their own suggestions and any external reviews that may help inform other members of the book . during the meeting have members vote on the next three books - - which gives members some time to find and read the books . this will make the book club more official and members will feel like they really belong . dont just hastily choose a name though . have the members suggest ideas and everyone vote . now that the really hard work is done , relax and let people talk and leave as they will . be sure to speak to each person again so they feel more comfortable and invested in the group . |
focus on a memorable event or moment in your life . expand on an important conflict in your life . think about a particular theme or idea . read examples of personal narrative . start with a hook . set the scene with action . move chronologically through the events . use sensory detail and description . finish with a moral or takeaway . read the narrative out loud . show the narrative to others . revise the narrative for clarity and length . | how to write a personal narrative | the personal narrative should focus on a specific event or moment that was memorable or made a big impression on you . it does not need to major moment as long as it feels memorable and important to you . the event could have seemed minor at the time but ended up being life changing for you . for example , you may write about your struggles with body image in high school and how you overcame them in adulthood . or you may write about your disastrous 15th birthday party and how it affected your relationship with your mother . personal conflict can be great fodder for a personal narrative . think about any strained relationships in your life or any moments of major conflict that you have experienced . explore the conflict in detail in the narrative . for example , you write a personal narrative about your complicated relationship with your birth mother . or you may write about a conflict you have with a sport you play or a club you are a part of . use a theme as a jumping off point for the narrative . explore a theme or idea from your perspective . consider how the theme applies to your life and your experiences thus far . themes like poverty , isolation , sacrifice , and talent are all good options for a personal narrative . for example , you may explore a theme like poverty by writing about your familys struggle with money and finances . you may write about having to defer college applications to work at your parents business to make ends meet for your family . learn from good examples of the genre online and in print . search for the top personal narratives online to see what a successful narrative looks like . read and learn from these examples . you may read the boys of my youth by jo ann beard slouching towards bethlehem by joan didion me talk pretty one day by david sedaris the lives section of the new york times begin the personal narrative by drawing the reader in with a strong opening sentence . use rich description and detail in the opening . start in action so the reader is grabbed right away and keeps reading . for example , the first line in the personal narrative by tony gervino is attention grabbing i was 6 when my brother john leaned across the kitchen table and casually whispered that he had killed santa claus . ground the reader in the story by providing information on the main characters and the central conflict or theme . tell the reader where the narrative is taking place and when it is taking place . explain whether the story is about you andor you and your relationship with someone else in your life . for example , in tony gervinos essay , he sets the scene by providing setting , character , and narrative voice it was july 1973 , we were living in scarsdale , n . y . and he was four years older than i was , although that seemed like decades . do not jump to different moments in time or move from a past event to a present event and then back again in the same paragraph . go chronologically from event to event or moment to moment . this will make it easier for the reader to follow along with the narrative . for example , you may start with an event in childhood with your older sister and then move forward in time to the present day , focusing on you and your older sister as adults . focus on how things smelled , sounded , tasted , felt , and looked in the scene . paint a vivid picture for the reader so they feel immersed in the narrative . try to describe moments in the narrative based on the speakers perspective . for example , you may describe the feeling of your mothers famous lemon cake as rich and zesty , with a special ingredient that to this day , i cannot identify . most personal narratives end with a reflection or analysis of the events . you may come up with a moral that you share with the reader based on your own experiences . or you may leave the reader with a takeaway thought that illustrates what you learned from your experiences . for example , you may end a personal narrative about your complicated relationship with your troubled sister by ending on a recent memory where you both enjoyed each others company . you may leave the reader with a lesson you have learned about loving someone , even with all their messiness and baggage . once you have finished a draft of the personal narrative , read it aloud to yourself . listen to how the narrative sounds out loud . notice if there are any awkward moments or unclear sentences . circle or underline them so you can revise them later . you can also try reading the narrative out loud to someone else so they can hear how it sounds . this can then make it easier for them to give you feedback . ask a friend , peer , classmate , or family member to read the narrative . pose questions to them about the style , tone , and flow of the narrative . ask them if the narrative feels personal , detailed , and engaging . be willing to accept feedback from others . be open to constructive criticism as it will likely strengthen the narrative . read over the narrative for any spelling , grammar , or punctuation errors . review the narrative to make sure it is not too long , as personal narratives are usually short , no more than one to five pages long . you may also need to meet a specific length requirement if you are writing the personal narrative for a class . |
know what books you have . create a catalog or list of all of your books . use row 1 as your heading row . start the fun part . using a 4 x 9 . 5 inch envelope that you have sealed shut and cut in half and glued to the inside cover as the pocket , slide an index card with the title of the book on it into the pocket and use this to write the name of the lendee and due date of the book for your records . remember to also write the due date on the pocket so the lendee remembers when it is due . | how to lend books from a home library | this doesnt mean just looking around and jotting down the authors . lets go about this systematically . start in one area of your house better yet get all of your books into one area . bring up an excel spreadsheet and lets get started now this can be as detailed or general as you want it to be , but here are a few things to note down and how to do it . in different cells type the headings authors , title , genre , and summary . you could also add publication date , place of publication , publisher , and subject e . g . vampires , history , russia , or anything else that you though was important in the book . after these headings add loaned to and loaned on with the date . these heading will help you better understand what you like , what you have , and where it is . looking at your collection with a critical eye . as you start filling in your spreadsheet , you can reflect on a few things do you still want to keep this book or should you donate itgive it away , what was that book about to write a quick summary , do you like a specific genera , if you dont want to create your own catalog on excel , you can use a number of software options available . a quick google search of cataloging software will provide a number of options . in addition , some websites can allow you to catalog your books online and allow you many more options to share your opinions of your books with a large community of users . now you have a list or catalog of your books . its time to start lending decide who you want to lend works to and for how long and off you go just remember to type their name into your new catalog along with the date that the book is due back . if you dont want to use a computerized system , you could also add library cards to the books . , |
set book selection rules . decide on a meeting location . set the atmosphere . prep for the discussion . choose rules on new members . | how to create rules for a book club 1 | in a discussion book club , the whole group reads the same book between each meeting , usually one per month . there are a couple ways to decide which books to read let anyone propose a book , then have the club vote on the options . try this if the members have a similar taste in books and dont want to explore new genres . let one member choose each book , rotating through the list . this is a good way to explore a variety of works . work your way through a list of books that have received a particular reward for quality pulitzer prize , national book award , excellence within a genre nebula , walter scott prize , or for qualities that lead to good discussion firecracker alternate book award , banned book lists , or various book club lists . one common solution is to rotate hosting duties . if not everyone has the ability to host , rotate between those that can , or find a meeting space in a church , library , or community center . cafes are a fun option , but they need to have plenty of space and a carefree policy toward noise . for many people , socializing is just as important as the discussion . this isnt a problem if everyones on the same page . if youd like a more serious discussion instead , set a couple rules to make that clear if your group tends to derail the discussion with unrelated conversation , divide the meetings into two parts . start with casual chats , then move on to focused discussion at a certain time . if you really want good debate , ask members not to show up unless theyve read at least part of the book . this could go over poorly among close friends . people attend book clubs in their spare time , and most will not want to put in extra time between meetings . if youd like to improve the quality of discussion , appoint a facilitator yourself , or rotating among dedicated readers to lead the meeting . this facilitator should prepare as follows read a couple reviews and brief author bios . come up with a few discussion prompts . print out handouts with key passages or extra info optional . if you want an intimate meeting for close friends , ask members to keep it that way . if youre interested in broader debates or meeting new people , ask members to invite friends . if you have a large meeting space , you could even advertise in your local community . |
compare online booksellers . open an account with one or more online booksellers . find your books international standard book number isbn . find the book online . set your price . list the book . wait . ship the book . | how to sell a used book on the internet | there are a number of websites that allow you to list and sell your books online . some specialize in textbooks , while others sell all sorts of books . for choosing the best fit for you , consider how much you have to pay the site some booksellers charge a flat fee per book , while others charge a commission on the selling price still other charges a membership fee instead of , or in addition to , a commission . shop around to find the best deal for your particular situation , and make sure you understand exactly how much youll have to pay when your book sells . the sites shipping policy youll have to ship the book when it sells , so make sure you understand any requirements for shipping . most sites require that you ship via a tracking service , for example . also , find out how shipping is factored into how much you get paid . do you have to pay shipping out of the books sale price , or is there a shipping allowance thats added to the price how you get paid when someone buys a book , the website will pay you , usually either by direct deposit into your bank account , by paypal , or by check . some may pay you immediately , while many pay sellers once or twice a month . how easy it is to list your book selling your book online is usually extremely easy . once you have a seller account at a site , you may be able to simply enter the isbn and the condition of your book and sell it without entering any additional information . that said , you may want to add more information , and on some sites your ability to do so is limited . the reputation of the bookseller and the amount of exposure your book will get . most big online booksellers have a good track record , and you can get comparable exposure at most of them , but do your due diligence . choose a site on which to sell your book , or choose a couple if , for example , you want to sell a specialty book and a more general book . youll usually need to provide your bank account information andor credit card number , so once again , make sure you feel comfortable with your choice . the isbn is a 10 - digit number - - it will change to 13 digits in 2007 - - that identifies a particular title and edition . you can usually find it on the back of the book , near or on the upc code , or on one of the first few pages of a book , where you can also find the copyright date and library classification information . the isbn system has been used on all books sold internationally since the 1970s that is to say , most books your will encounter . enter the isbn without dashes into the search bar of the online bookseller youve chosen . you may also want to get a comparison of prices at other booksellers , either by searching them yourself or by using a free service such as bookprice24 . com or addall . com . if your book doesnt have an isbn , search by author or title . in general , set your price about equal to the price that other copies of that book in comparable condition are going for . if you want to make a really quick sale , set your price lower than any other comparable copies if you just want to get the best price you can and arent concerned about how long it will take to sell or if the book is in very high demand , set your price a bit higher . also consider your expenses i . e . shipping and commission and your time when setting the price . sometimes it just isnt worth it to sell the book if you cant get a decent price . follow the directions on the site on which youve chosen to list the book . you probably wont need to enter much information , and there will also likely already be a picture of the book on the site . if you have relevant information or a picture youd like to add , go ahead , but dont spend too much time on it . books in high demand , such as current textbooks and bestsellers , may sell on the same day you list them . other books may take days , weeks , or months to sell theres no guarantee youll sell a book at all . be patient , and consider lowering your price , revising your listing , or listing the book on another site if you feel like its taking too long . when the book sells , youll get a notification email from the site with the buyers address . ship the book promptly within the allotted time frame and via the shipping method that the buyer selected . |
look at a bestseller list . ask for a recommendation . visit a few expert websites dealing with book clubs and book reviews . find out what other book clubs are reading . pick a book you have already read and enjoyed . pick a book that goes with the theme of your book club . most importantly , dont stress yourself . | how to choose a book for a book club | these books become bestsellers because people mutually liked them . it is possible that your fellow book club members will too . make sure you dont choose a book just because its famous - books become famous for being bad , too . choose a book you like , and you think others will like too . get some advice from people whose taste in books you agree with . ask a fellow group member for some tips . allow each group member to suggest a title and put the list to a vote . www . goodreads . com is a great site , where you can both enter an online book club and seek their opinions , or read through reviews of books from various people around the world . many publisher web pages provide suggestions for book groups , as well as reading guides with discussion questions . enter one of these discussions , ask people for help . check out online book clubs . if you are an introvert - type , you might find it easier to ask people for recommendations through a screen and not face - to - face . most groups keep lists of previously discussed books with reviews . if you have friends in different book clubs , ask them for previously read books in their clubs . get their opinions and recommendations . the best books can be read over and over . remember , just because you love it , doesnt mean everyone else will . keep that in mind , and choose a book that might fit to everyones taste . science - fiction , thriller , romance , mystery - what is the theme your book club has chosen for the month go with that theme . it narrows down your choices , and makes it easier for you to pick one book . youre only choosing a book for a club . if people dont like your choice , it doesnt matter . you can always keep it in mind the next time you get to choose . be content with your choice . |
come up with a member list . set rules for book acquisition . decide where and when to meet . write down the loan policy . set a return schedule . assign a member to track the loans . | how to create rules for a book club 2 | this type of book club gathers a collection of books for its members to borrow . the more people you invite , the larger and more interesting your library . that said , for logistics reasons you may want to start with ten people or fewer . there are two common ways this type of club can function each member loans the club 1 - 3 books each meeting . alternatively , each member donates a certain amount of money each meeting . the host for that month a rotating position spends the money to buy books for the club to enjoy . unless you have a communal space to store the books , the book club usually only borrows or returns books once every month or two . this is also a good chance to trade recommendations and socialize . its usually easiest to have one person store the book collection and host the meetings , so you dont have to transport the books . consider putting out a donation box to reimburse this host for his time . here are a few suggested rules to keep the club running smoothly each member can borrow one book at a time . each book is due back after a certain amount of time such as two months . set a small fine for late books , to be put in a communal fund for snacks or similar expenses . set a larger fine for lost or damaged books , to be given to the original owner of the book . for space reasons , most clubs wont want to keep their collection growing endlessly . after a book has been around for a certain period of time say 6 to 12 months , return it to its original owner or purchaser . one person should be responsible for a document that lists every book in the collection , with the following information who currently has the book if anyone . when the book is due back in the collection . the original ownerpurchaser . when the book is due to return to the original ownerpurchaser . |
get a notebook and paper , or a laptopcomputer . set yourself up in a comfortable , quiet and inspiring writing location . determine what genre youll write the book in . think of a title . know the plot ahead of time . brainstorm . create the plot . do your research . develop the characters . start slowly the speed comes when you lay out solid foundations at first . mess with your plot a bit . find a way to boost your writing . write fast . write like heck the first day , and whole first week . take a break from writing , and pay attention to people now and then . add chapters to the book . have fun . edit the work . get feedback . go back to your novel , on the computer . start looking for editors . accept that publishing can be hard . send the work in . try self - publishing if the publishers dont come through for you . | how to write a book quickly | go onto word , wordpad or something that you enjoy writing on . lovely stationery can be inspiring , if youre the i like to hoard stationery type . dont neglect the value of texture , aroma and vibrancy of good quality writing materials . they can provide the encouraging kick you need to sit down and write . dont neglect the value of audio either . perhaps you prefer talking your book into a microphone as you pace or go for a hike . there is no right or wrong here . if that works for you , then do it . if youre really lucky , you might even have someone willing to take dictation for you or copy across your spoken notes . for many people , this means choosing a spot , such as a study with a window view , or a cozy nook somewhere . for others , it means moving about often , visiting cafes and sitting under trees . work out what combination of writing spaces works out best for you and arrange for it to happen . do you enjoy romance novels vampires fantasy horror if you like any of those topics , write about one . you could put romance and horror into one , or vampires and romance together , like twilight . if youre keen on non - fiction , thats a possibility too , although it wont be covered by this article . jot down a title if you can––may be a source of inspiration . however , its not essential at this stage . if the title just isnt coming to you , skip this step and wait for the story itself to suggest a title to you . think of a key image you may want to convey . for instance , in to kill a mockingbird , the mockingbird is mentioned only a few times , but because it was mentioned in the title , it has a greater meaning than it normally would . first , youll need to get some inspiration . reading books about the subject youre writing about may help you to come up with a list of inspiring ideas for your own writing . use such material to get yourself thinking about stories and plots and what youre writing about . go into a dark and silent room its best when youre home alone , stuff your face into a pillow , and just think . bring a notebook , and whatever comes to your mind , write it down . or speak it into that audio machine . once you have several good ideas you like , its time to work on plotting . take your favorite idea , and work with it . develop a plot an an outline , characters , and never forget to always put in crazy plot twist . keep your readers on the edge of their seats . if youre looking for a program that will help with outlining , scrivener is a useful writing program that helps with outlining . think about what youre writing about . if its about animals , spend time around the animal youre writing about or , any animal , and study it , and how it acts . as for researching it , look it up , read books about it , and so forth . this can only do you good . say youre writing about some brainiac computer people who code websites and games and stuff . in that case , learn everything about computers that you can , learn the code language they use , and so on . this is the really fun part . name the characters . a name can be anything . it can be random gibberish you make put together letters you like , the meaning can have something to do with the story , or , it can simply be a name that sounds pretty , to you . once you have your name , start visualizing your character . what do they look like what do they talk like what do they like to do and , the most important , and hardest question what are they like whats their personality personalization the art of making personalities for characters is both fun , and , hard . dont make them too much like you . they have to have faults . they have to be really unique . for the first line of your novel , make it as unique is possible . avoid totally clichéd lines that people have used so many times who knows who started them , such as it was a dark and stormy night . make it as perfect as possible . tip the first sentence should have something to do with the ending . its really cool when books start and end with the same something same first and last line , same place , etc . remember you have to please the first - line - judgers first - line - judger noun . a person who judges a book , not by its cover , but , by its first line . or , ignore the rules and be a good author by following what you know works . dont be afraid to change a few things . write more and more , every day , until you have a consistent word count going every day maybe 1 , 000 . one excellent way is to join national novel writing month . national novel writing month nanowrimo is a writing challenge , you have to reach 50 , 000 words , in the month of november . its something you can do , even adults with a full - time job and its also suitable for children . look it up at nanowrimo . org . if its anywhere near november , i sign up for nanowrimo . 1 , 667 words a day keeps you on speed track . if youre nowhere near november , you can always sign up for camp nanowrimo campnanowrimo . org . camp nanowrimos are in april , june , and july . if youre not close to any of those months , and dont feel like waiting for them , you can do your own nanowrimo . organized one with your friend . still try to get 50k words , but , also , try to beat their word counts spend a whole month working on your typing speed . measure it in wpm . typingtest . com is a great site for testing it . schedule each day , before you go to sleep , and leave several hours aside for writing . take advantage of the weekends and any spare time . dont update your word count every 5 minutes though it will be very hard to resist it , it wastes time . then pick up the writing again and aim to complete it . writing can be fun , but if you start to feel bored or want to do something else , write again later . if you arent in the mood , your story wont be as great as you want it to be . its easier to read , and makes the story seem much more professional . if you enjoy it , itll be completed much faster . its not that hard , and its not like many people say it is . editing is perfecting . perfect your novel . fix grammar and typing mistakes , root for and fix plot holes , change anything necessary , and , unnecessary , and make it as perfect as possible . stick to one or two revisions only , and youll save years of time . just be ruthless when you do it . leave it alone for a week or so . dont forget to go back to it , after a week , though . the first step to editing is reading through your novel . print it out , and grab your tools a pencil , a highlighter , and something to look stuff up on . read it over , however many times you want . highlight anything you think you need to change , make little notes with your pencil on the margin , and get your novel ready to edit on the computer . go to your computer . with your novel beside you , read over your novel , changing and perfecting . go through it several times . always take criticism kindly . its only to help you . email your work to friends and family , print it out and send them copies , and have them give you critiques . you can publish samples of it on author sites for help , too . once youre done getting feedback , write all your notes down . make any further changes you think are necessary , and perfect it more . search up book editors online that will take copies of novel . when youve found a suitable editor , send it to them . take their feedback , and fix anything . when they say its good , now its time for a publisher . the first step is to look up good publishers . here is what to look for in a publisher do they publish books you like do their published books often have mistakes typos , missing pagespages out of order , etc . do they publish books in your books genreage level will they publish your book if you dont have an agent are they well - known once youve found a few publishers youre absolutely certain you like , send in your novel to your top 30 . be prepared for rejection , a lot of publishers are picky about what they publish . dont take rejection too hard , either . its bound to happen at least once , even with the greatest novel . harry potter was rejected seven times , before it was accepted . dont be afraid to try many publishers at once the first one to accept it gets it if that doesnt work out , at least you wrote a novel |
read the book and take notes . think about the books genre andor field of study . determine the major themes of the book . consider the authors writing style . think about how well the author develops the major areas or points in the book . make note of the books format , if relevant . consider any literary devices in the book . think about how unique the book is . assess how successful the book is . begin with a heading . write an introduction . write a summary of the book . evaluate and critique the book . wrap up the review . re read and revise your review . get feedback . always submit your best work . | how to write a book review | if possible , read the book multiple times , as repeat reads tend to lead a reader or reviewer to view aspects of the story , the setting and the characters in a new or different way . write down your notes or use a voice recorder to document any thoughts or impressions you have of the book as you are reading . they dont have to be organised or perfect , the idea is to brainstorm any impressions you may have of the book . consider how the book fits or does not fit in its genre or field of study . if necessary , use outside sources to familiarize yourself with the field of study and the genre of the book . for example , if you are reviewing a non - fiction book about the development of the polio vaccine in the 1950s , consider reading other books that also examine the same scientific issue and period of scientific development . or if you are reviewing a work of fiction like nathaniel hawthornes the scarlet letter , consider how hawthornes book relates to other works of romanticism and historical fiction set in the same time period the 17th century as points of comparison . the theme is often a lesson or overall message that the reader perceives between the lines . the theme can also be the fundamental and often universal ideas explored in a book . authors may present multiple themes in their writing , especially works of fiction . pay attention to the preface , any quotes , and or references in the books introduction , as this content will likely shed light on the books major themes and viewpoint . a simple way to determine one of the major themes of a book is to sum up the book in one word . so , for example , the major theme of the scarlet letter could be sin . once you have your one word summary , stretch the single word into a message or lesson , such as sin can lead to knowledge but it can also lead to suffering . ask yourself if the style suits the books intended audience . remember that genre is a category of writing and style is the manner in which a subject is expressed or performed . so , depending on the style used , the author can present different viewpoints to the intended audience . for example , in the scarlet letter , hawthorne attempts to combine the writing style of the romantic period 1800 - 1855 with the common , every day language of the american puritans of the 1600s . hawthorne does this with long , descriptive sentences that are strung together with commas and semi - colons , and he also uses antiquated word choices and descriptors that are rooted in the romantic period and in puritan terms inspired by the bible . what areas are coverednot covered why locating gaps in the timeframe or character development of the book can help you think critically . as well , noticing any well developed elements of the book will help you create good points for your review . elements like the books layout , binding , typography , etc . can provide framing and context for the book . if the author provides secondary material like maps , charts , and drawings , always consider how they support or contribute to the books themes . in the scarlet letter , for example , hawthorne begins the book with an introduction to the text , narrated by an individual who has many autobiographical details in common with the author . in the introduction , the nameless narrator tells the story of finding the manuscript bundled in a scarlet letter a . hawthorne uses this narrative framing to create a story within a story , an important detail when discussing the book as a whole . if the book is a work of fiction , think about how plot structure is developed in the story . take notes on the books character , plot , setting , symbols , mood or tone and how they relate to the overall theme of the book . if we were to use the scarlett letter again , it would be important to note that hawthorne chose the adulterer and sinner hester prynne as his protagonist , and placed the religious , anti sin reverend wilson in the role of antagonist . in writing a review of the scarlet letter , it would be useful to consider why hawthorne did this , and how it relates back to the books overall theme of sin . does it add new information to a genre the author may be trying to challenge or expand the existing rules and norms of a genre . consider how the book does this , and how this may affect the intended audiences reception of the book . was the author successful in carrying out the overall purposes of the book and did you feel satisfied with the books ending would you recommend this book to others most reviews start off with a heading that includes all the bibliographic information about the book . if you havent been directed on heading format from an editor or professor , use the standard heading of title , author , place of publication publisher , date of publication , and number of pages . , a good introduction will grab the readers attention so they are interested in reading the rest of the review , and will inform the reader what the review is going to be about . ensure your introduction contains relevant details like the authors background , and if applicable , their previous work in the genre . you can also indicate the main themes you will be discussing in your review to situate the reader and give them an indication of your take on the book . several possible openings include a historical moment , an anecdote , a surprising or intriguing statement , and declarative statements . regardless of your opening sentences , make sure they directly relate to your critical response to the book and keep them short and to the point . if youre unsure on how to begin the review , try writing your introduction last . it may be easier to organize all of your supporting points and your critical position , and then write the introduction last—that way you can be sure that the introduction will match the body of the review . once you have established your heading and your introduction , you can then move into a summary of the books themes and main points . keep the summary short , to the point , and informative . use quotes or paraphrasing from the book to support your summary . make sure you properly cite all quotes and paraphrasing in your review to avoid plagiarism . be wary of summaries that begin with phrases like is about… is the story of… writes about… . focus on weaving a description of the books setting , narrative voice , and plot within a critical analysis . avoid simply regurgitating the books premise . dont give away important details or reveal the ending of the book in your summary , and dont go into detail about what happens from the middle of the book onwards . as well , if the book is part of a series , you can mention this to potential readers and situate the book within the series . , once you have summarized the book and discussed the main themes and aspects , shift into your critical analysis . this the heart of your review , so be as direct and clear as you can . use the answers you brainstormed during your preparation for the review to formulate your critique . address how well the book has achieved its goal , how the book compares to other books on the subject , specific points that were not convincing or lacked development , and what personal experiences , if any , youve had related to the subject of the book . always use properly cited supporting quotes and passages from the book to back up your critical discussion . this not only reinforces your viewpoint with a trustworthy source , it also gives the reader a sense of the writing style and narrative voice of the book . the general rule of thumb is that the first one - half to two - thirds of the review should summarize the authors main ideas and at least one - third should evaluate the book . write a concluding paragraph or several sentences that sum up your critical analysis of the book . if your critical position has been well argued , the conclusion should follow naturally . examine the strengths and weaknesses of the book , and discuss whether or not you would recommend the book to others . if so , who do you think is the ideal audience for the bookdo not introduce new material in your conclusion or discuss a new idea or impression that was not examined in your introduction and body paragraphs . you can also give the book a numerical score , a thumbs up or thumbs down , or a starred rating . your first stab at a book review may not be as perfect as youd like , so feel free to revise and adjust your draft . to gain perspective , put the review aside for a few days and then come back to it with fresh eyes . always use spell check and adjust any grammar or spelling . nothing undermines a quality review more than bad spelling and grammar . double check that all quotes and references are properly cited in your review . if possible , get someone else to read the review before you submit it to an editor or turn it in to a professor . it is difficult to edit and critique your own work , so ask a friend to read your review and then tell you if they felt the introduction grabbed their attention and if your critical discussion was consistent and developed throughout your review . make sure you incorporate your revisions and any feedback you have received to create the best final draft . a good review will flow well from introduction to summary to critical analysis , have an interesting perspective on the book , and be free of any grammatical or spelling errors to ensure it is easy to read . |
open the cover and lay the book on a flat , hard surface . cut along the interior fold of the cover . cut off the back cover of the book . pull out the threads in the spine . open the book and cut the spine of the book . pull out the pages . | how to unbind a book 1 | open the front cover of the book and place it on a surface that you dont care about scratching . you will be cutting into the book with a sharp knife , and theres a chance that it will go through the book and onto your table . you must remove the back and front cover before you can start removing the pages . open the book and use a utility knife to cut along the inside binding of the book . if its a hardcover book , youll have to apply a good amount of pressure to go through the cover . once youve made your cuts , pull away the front cover of the book . the interior fold is where the front cover and back cover of the book connect to the rest of the pages . be careful and cut away from your body . flip the book over and make a straight cut down the binding of the book . pull the back cover away so that its no longer connected to the pages of the book . again , you may have to apply a considerable amount of pressure to cut all the way through the book . sometimes there will be threads inside of the book spine . carefully pull the spine away from the book pages . use a set of tweezers to carefully pull them out . continue pulling them until there are no more threads in the spine . if you pull all of the threads , the pages should start to come loose . if you are unbinding a softcover book , you can skip this step because they typically use a glue adhesive to keep the pages together . open the book to the middle page so that the text on the pages are facing you . use a razor blade and carefully cut down the center of the book . this should detach both sides of the book . you may have to apply considerable pressure to get all the way through the binding . sometimes the pages will just begin to detach if youve cut down the center of the book . if they dont , open the book page by page and cut down the binding to fully remove them . |
lay the book down on the edge of a flat surface . apply pressure to the cover of the book . pull the spiral binding down . | how to unbind a book 2 | laying the book down on the edge of a flat edge will give you leverage on the binding and allow you to pull out the coil in one motion . the books binding should be slightly hanging over the edge of your flat surface . use your body weight to press down on the cover of the cover of the book , with the spiral binding hanging over your flat surface . this will keep the book still as you pull out the spiral binding . place your thumb on the spiral binding in the center of the book . while still applying pressure to the cover , quickly pull down on the coil . this should unwind it on both sides and remove it from the book . because the plastic coils are fairly flexible , you shouldnt have to adjust them if you pull the coil out with enough force . |
bend the end of the spiral binding with pliers . remove any detachable pages . rotate the coil and work it out of the binding . | how to unbind a book 3 | hold the book firmly in your hands and use a set of needle nose pliers to straighten out the bent binding on the bottom of the book . the coil , which looked like a hook , should now be straight . if you dont want to save the front or back cover of the book , you can remove them by simply pulling them out . remove any detachable pages inside of your book to make it easier to remove the coil . use your fingers to push and rotate the coil . it should start to unwind on the other side and exit on the top of the book . continue spinning until the entire coil is detached . |
plan the initial design of the cover . choose text fonts and sizes from the options provided . add images for flare . clean finish and minor changes . to finish the cover , simply open the pp to full screen , make sure that the pp transparent function box disappears and then copy the screen by using prtscn . edit the image size to work well with your cover design . | how to use powerpoint to create a book cover | before getting into the low tech method of creating the book cover , a plan , an idea should already be laid out and carefully set for the cover graphics and design . how it will look , placing of the words and any images to be incorporated into the book cover . be prepared . have all of the images or different designs picked out and ready to use . waiting to get images while creating book cover bogs down the process and can create confusion – there should be a set plan in motion , changes can be added later but only after you already accomplished your plan . the most important program necessary to accomplish this is microsofts powerpoint presentation program . ms word and ms paint or another image editing program will also be required . what type of font will be use for the text portion of the cover . the title of the book should have already been decided upon and a desired look by now is established through a trial and error staging process . all that needs to be done is to use the text tools to make the vision a reality . it may take some playing and tweaking to make it look exactly as envisioned . remember to change the powerpoint panel from its landscape view to portrait view to get the desired look . this will help with the next few steps in creating the book cover . also add to the cover interesting images , depending on the over all look would be helpful but remember not to overwhelm the appearance of cover . adding images can be done by simply using the insert function of ms powerpoint to insert images easily . images should be formatted in the gif form in order to utilize the transparency feature in the image editing program or in the ms powerpoint program . edit the images to achieve the optimal look . this is where a bit of editing knowledge will come in handy . most image editing programs have a feature that allows you to make the background of images transparent . so does the ms powerpoint program . with a bit of practice you can incorporate images seamlessly into the cover . once youve accomplish the look you want for your book cover you can clean up the image as a whole or make minor changes to improve the finished look of the cover . try to avoid making too many changes and be smart – create a copy and alter copy so if an error occurs , nothing is lost . then open ms paint and paste the image to ms paint . all that is needed to do now is to crop the picture to desired look and to save as a png file . after the image is saved it can be opened in any image editing program . change the resolution of the image to 300 dpi . this will ensure the needed print quality and will reduce fading when printing . the final step for book cover creation is to edit the size of the image to fit your book . for example if the book size is 6 . 2 x 8 . 28 , then that is the size the image should be formatted . doing so will help when you go to publish your book and it has to fit in a standard format to match the book print size . save the file in the format specified by your publisher . some companies only accept certain file formats for uploading a book cover image . |
draw on your life experience . jot down story ideas . connect a story idea to a message . dont make it all about you . | how to tell better stories 1 | the most meaningful stories convey a message by relating it to an actual series of events . illustrating a point by relating it to your own experiences will impart a personal , authentic quality . draw on funny happenings , barriers you overcame , or lessons you learned . true stories are great for illustrating a message , but dont fret if fiction is your forte . telling a more imaginative tale still involves the same strategies , like sticking to a clear structure and delivering your story effectively . keep a journal to log your story ideas when they come to you . try to keep one handy at all times so an idea never escapes you . even if you just jot down a quick sentence or thought , you can return to it later and use it to craft a great story . a great story has a point . if youre making a speech or trying to motivate a team , think of the moral of your story , or the point youre trying to make . look through your idea journal or think of a life experience that connects to that message . for example , if youre trying to inspire your employees or coworkers to meet a deadline , youd want to tell them a story that illustrates perseverance despite tough obstacles . you could convey that moral by recalling a time they succeeded as a team in the past despite the odds being against them . no one likes to hear a person go on and on about how wonderful they are . while its best to draw on your own experiences , try to make the hero of your stories someone other than you . for example , stories in which you play a major role could involve you learning something from a mentor or making a mistake . that way , your story will be more authentic , youll engage your audience by making yourself vulnerable , and you wont seem like youre just boasting . |
follow a clear structure . match the length of a story to the setting . make the opening and closing memorable . add engaging details . practice telling your story . | how to tell better stories 2 | whether youre telling a story at a cocktail party or a job interview , it should follow a logical structure . a good structure allows the audience to easily follow along and has a rhythm that engages them in the action . to stick to a clear structure , you shouldstart with an introduction to set your storys scene . describe the inciting incident , which presents the challenge or conflict . raise the stakes and add a personal connection by adding context and detail to the challenge . proceed to the climax , or your storys main event finish with the resolution , which is when you can reflect on the moral of your story . theres no ideal story length , and the appropriate length will depend on the time and place that youre telling the story . however , you should generally limit your stories to a few minutes . stick to your storys structure , avoid getting too verbose or complicated , and try not to go off on tangents . for example , if you pass by a coworker and tell them a story , youll probably want to limit it to around a minute . imagine if someone in an elevator with you started telling a long story , didnt finish it when the doors opened on your floor , and held you up until they were done . on the other hand , guests at a dinner party are there to socialize and talk , so you can make your stories longer and more engrossing . a good opening will grab your audiences attention . start off on the right foot by telling your best joke , asking them a question , or introducing your moral or message . when concluding your story , bring it back to the beginning to help the audience understand the journey youve described . suppose youre telling some friends about the time your boss took you out to lunch and , on the way to the restaurant , drove through a puddle that soaked you through your open window . you could open by saying , have you ever wondered what your boss really thinks of you one rainy afternoon , i found out the hard way that im a lot less precious than a leather auto interior . wrap your story up by saying something like , and there i am , shivering like a wet dog and soaked in dirty , side - of - the - road water , and all my boss can say is , quick grab something to wipe the seats the right details will capture your audiences interest , place them in the action , and bring your story to life . however , make sure you dont bore them by providing tedious details in each sentence . for example , that evening , deep in summers dog days , was thick with muggy coastal georgia heat , is a more engaging detail than , it was uncomfortably hot and humid on the night of august 26 , 2016 . great storytellers might seem like theyre improvising on the spot . however , telling a great story is an art form , and practice makes perfect . try saying the story to yourself first . then tell it to various groups of people and work on parts that didnt seem to go over so well . just make sure you dont tell the same story to the same people |
know your audience . make comfortable eye contact . try not to seem robotic . use your voice to make your story more engaging . | how to tell better stories 3 | you probably wouldnt tell a story that deals with delicate topics at a job interview . likewise , your friends might find a story about your professional accolades boring and self - congratulatory . keep your audience in mind and tell them a story that appeals to their interests . save stories about wild nights , sensitive political or social topics , and other potentially inappropriate content for good friends . at work or with people you dont know well , keep your stories pg , or as least likely to offend someone as possible . for example , you could tell a new coworker about the time the software went down at the worst possible moment and , despite the chaos that ensued , somehow it seems hysterical in retrospect . maintaining comfortable eye contact will help you come off as authentic and believable . however , you should find the right balance . look at someone for a few seconds , then make eye contact with the next person . glancing between people or shifting your eyes too much can seem untrustworthy . looking away and not making any eye contact is also suspicious . holding eye contact with one person for too long can make them uncomfortable . while you should rehearse your story , try not to deliver your story as if you were reading off a script . practice your speech , but make your deliver seem off the cuff instead of stale . instead of trying to be perfect , give yourself some room to improvise . when you speak as a character in your story , use a different voice to make it clear the character is speaking and not the narrator . at tense or serious points , try lowering your volume and slowing your delivery to put your listeners on the edges of their seats . quicken your pace and increase your volume to communicate action and energy . |
read as many short stories as you can . understand the components of a short story . reflect on the story you want to write . start with your intuition . start with a compelling flashback . start with a strong declarative statement . start with characterization . introduce the stakes of the story . develop the setting . avoid the pitfalls of short story openings . reflect on what youve written . ask for an outside opinion . | how to start a story | though you can write your own short story whenever you want , youll be able to write more effectively if you have read a wide variety of short stories , from classics to contemporary pieces . once youve read enough short stories , youll have a better sense of the elements of a short story , and a deeper understanding of what will appeal to an audience . pick your favorite stories and pay attention to how they start . see what works and doesnt work in an opening . read the short stories of classic writers such as edgar allan poe , anton chekhov , and guy de maupassant . read the short stories of writers from the earlier part of the 20th century , such as isaac babel , ernest hemingway , flannery oconnor , or jorge luis borges . read the short stories of more contemporary masters of the short story , such as alice munro , raymond carver , and jhumpa lahiri . join a writing workshop , either in school or in your community , and read the works of other writers who are still honing their craft . sometimes , the works of true masters can be overwhelming , and reading the work of writers who are starting out can make you feel like your task is more surmountable . your amazing opening wont work if you dont know how to follow it up with a strong middle and end . though short stories vary in their narration and subject matter , and some stories are traditional while others take a more experimental track , you should be aware of the key aspects of a good short story plot . the plot is what happens in a story . stories that are plot - driven are heavily dependent on what happens next , such as the detective stories of poe . some short stories follow the pattern of having rising action , a crisis , and falling action , while others start in the middle of a crisis , or end with a crisis without telling the reader what happens next . your plot doesnt have to be as structured like a detective story , but there should always be a sense that there is something at stake , whether its whether a character can come to understand that her husband is unfaithful , or if a character can win a much - anticipated spelling bee to please her father . character . your story should have at least one character that your readers can care about and root for . typically , your character should be sympathetic so your characters can better understand his motives , but if the character is original , well - realized , and fascinating , your readers will love reading about him whether hes sympathetic or not . dialogue . dialogue can be considered the poetry in the prose and should be used sparingly to convey a characters voice . however , there some writers , such as hemingway or carver , who write excellent stories that are very heavy in dialogue . point - of - view . point of view is the perspective that the story is told from . it can be told in the first person , second person , or third person . first person is directly from the perspective of a character , second person addresses the reader as you , and third person creates a distance between the narrator and the characters . setting is where and when the story takes place . setting can be crucial to a story , such as the setting of the southern works of william faulkner , or it can play a more minor role . though there are many different ways to write , it will help to take some time to consider the story you have in mind . maybe you were inspired by something you saw , or have always been fascinated by a strange story about your grandfathers childhood . whatever your reason for writing the story , it can help to ask yourself a few questions before you begin will your story work better in the first , second , or third person though you can experiment with these perspectives once you begin writing , thinking about which point of view will be more appropriate in advance can help you start strong . where and when will your story take place if your story will take place in a town you dont know much about , or in a time period that you dont know very well , you may have to do some research before you can begin to write your story with confidence . how many characters will there be in your story if you have a sense of the main players in your story , youll have a better understanding of how long and detailed the story should be . dont underestimate the power of writing without a plan . if youre inspired , just put a pen to paper and see what happens . if trying to plan out your story before you start bogs you down , just dive right in and figure out the details as you go along . relax and write the first thing that comes to mind . you dont have to figure out which character or form of narration youll be using . just start writing without stopping to think for a few minutes and see what happens . write for at least ten minutes without stopping . once youre done , you should read over what youve written to see how your opening sounds , or to see if you can find a good starting point somewhere in the pages youve filled . dont stop to correct your work for grammar or punctuation . this may slow you down and will make you self - conscious about your ideas . you can perfect your writing later . though flashbacks take the risk of being sentimental or confusing the reader , they can draw the reader in , and make your reader wonder about how the story moved from the past to the present . pick a moment that was memorable to a character . it can be a truly dramatic moment in the characters life , or it can be a significant memory that is developed later in the story . if you choose to start with a flashback , make sure that your readers know when youve transitioned into the present , or you will lose or confuse them . start with a moment when a character acts in a surprising way . move to the present , and leave your reader to wonder why the character would have acted this way . dont be afraid to start with a bold voice that says a lot about the main character and tells the reader what to expect in the rest of the story . the opening of a story sets the terms of the story and helps the reader interpret the events that take place , so a clear , bold statement can help hook your readers . melvilles novel moby dick simply starts with the statement call me ishmael . from there , the narrator talks of his love of sea voyages , and about how much the ocean means to him . this statement draws the reader in and makes him feel more comfortable with the main character . though this is the opening of a novel , it would work just as well for a short story . amy blooms story , the story , opens with the line , you wouldnt have known me a year ago . this simple - but - direct opening draws in the reader and makes him want to know more about this character , and why this character has changed . chekhovs lady with a little dog begins with the statement , it was said that a new person had appeared on the sea front a lady with a little dog . this story continues to discuss gurov , another guest on the sea front , who begins to take an interest in this woman , and eventually delves into their passionate love affair . the statement is simple yet effective , and leaves the reader wanting to know more about this woman . the right line of dialogue can also grab your readers and provide insight into the person who is saying it , but be aware that starting a story with a line of dialogue is tricky . your character doesnt have to speak to the reader right away . instead , you can let your reader see your character in action , to show the kind of person your character is and what is at stake for him or her in the story . here are some ways to start with characterization begin with your characters quirk . maybe your character likes to eat a meal with two forks , or maybe your character showers with his shoes on . tell your readers what makes your character unique . reveal what your character is thinking . invite your readers into your characters head to let them know whether shes wondering about the gender of her baby , or worried about her mothers new memory lapses . show the character interacting with others . letting your readers see how the character interacts with her mother , or an old friend she ran into on the streets , can provide insight into who he is and what hell do next . describe your characters physical appearance . your characters appearance can say a lot about him or her . dont bore your reader with the ordinary details . instead , show how your character looks to other people , or describe an aspect of the characters appearance that most people will overlook . a typical short story is around 15 - 25 pages in length , so you dont have to worry about developing ten believable characters . work on having an engaging protagonist , and a few other interesting characters , but know that not all of the minor characters have to have depth . tell your reader what is at stake in your story from the very first line or paragraph . in a short story , you only have so much time to develop your ideas , so if you start with the dramatic tension of the story , you can work backwards to explain why its so important . here are some ways to do it tell your readers a secret . say , mary had been sleeping with her sisters husband for the past three months . as you tell your readers more about this situation and how mary is being forced to deal with it , your readers will feel included in the drama and will be waiting to see how it unfurls . introduce a conflict . say , bobby hadnt seen his brother sam in over twenty years . he wondered if he would have the nerve to show up to their fathers funeral . these two sentences already set up the central conflicts for the reader that bobby and his brother have stopped speaking for some reason , and that bobby may have to confront him . as the story unfolds , the reader will want to know why the brothers stopped talking . hint at something significant from the characters past . say , the second time anna left her husband was just before her eightieth birthday . without giving the story away , you can show your readers that the story will describe why anna was leaving her husband again , and why she did it the first time . another way to start a story is to develop the setting . if the city or home where the story is set is significant , you can let your readers know about what it looks , smells , and sounds like before you develop the characters or plot . heres how to do it focus on sensory details . tell your readers what a place looks , sounds , smells , and even feels like to the touch . is it freezing in the story , or is it the hottest summer on record anchor your readers . without being too obvious , let them know where you are and when the story is taking place . though you dont have to announce the year and location , provide enough information for your readers to figure it out . show how the setting relates to your characters . pretend like youre a camera zooming in from birds eye view to the home of a character . start by looking at the whole town , neighborhood , and then show how your main character fits into this environment , or is a product of this environment . dont bore your readers . though describing the setting in just the right amount of detail can grab your readers , if youre starting out as a writer , this may not be the way to go . your readers may be impatient and will want to know who or what your story is about , not just where its set . as you choose your opening , beware of falling into a trap by starting your opening in a way that is too predictable , confusing , cliched , or just overwhelming . heres what not to do avoid clichés . dont start your story with a trite image or an overused line like , sarahs heart was torn to shreds . this will make your readers think that the rest of your story wont be very original either . avoid the information dump . you dont have to tell your readers who the story is about , where your story is set , what conflict is at stake , and what your main character looks like all in the first two pages of the story . think of writing as helping your readers climb a mountain . you want to give them enough information so they can move forward , but if you give them way too much information , then theyll be bogged down and will fall . avoid starting your story with a lot of questions or exclamation marks . let the story speak for itself instead of trying too hard to convey excitement . dont confuse your readers with fancy language . above all , make sure your readers know what the heck is going on in your story . you can sacrifice a few beautiful lines of imagery or too - clever dialogue to help your readers understand whats happening . now that youve written your opening as well as a draft or two of your story , you should reflect on the story as a whole to see if the opening still fits . you should make sure that the opening hooks the reader , sets the tone for the rest of the piece , and puts the reader on the right track . heres what you should do read your story twice . first , read it to yourself without marking it , and then read it with a pen to mark any places where you want to cut passages or where youll need to add information to bring the story together . once you do this , youll have a better sense of whether the opening is working or not . see if you can start later in the story . the first few pages of a rough draft of a story can often just be the writers way of clearing his throat before he can cut to the heart of the story . you may find that your opening provides too many unnecessary background details and that youre better off starting on page 2 — or even page 10 . read your story aloud . when you read your work aloud , you may notice things that you wouldnt have caught while reading the words on the page . youll be able to tell if your story flows naturally and if it has dialogue that is compelling and believable from the very beginning . once you feel confident about the rough draft of your story , you should be ready to ask for feedback . remember that asking for feedback too early in the writing process , before you even really have a sense of what youre writing about , can discourage you from pursuing your ideas . having the right opinion can help you revise your opening , as well as the rest of your story . tell your readers that youre focusing on the opening but would like an overall opinion as well . here are some places to turn for feedback ask a friend who loves reading short stories and is able to give constructive feedback . ask a friend who is a fellow writer . turn your story in to a writers workshop and pay attention to the feedback that you get , especially about the opening . remember that your opening wont be effective if the rest of the story doesnt come together . once you feel confident about your story and want to try to get it published , try sending it out to a number of literary journals . even if your story is not accepted , you may receive valuable feedback from editors . |
understand what makes a book both rare and valuable . determine the condition of the book . consult a professional book dealer if you dont feel confident when assessing the condition of a book . research the rarity of the book . research all the factors that may make your rare book more valuable first printing of a first edition . enter your book information on a book selling website to get an idea of the books worth . | how to research the value of rare books | look for standard identification points , which are details that most book publishers adhere to when printing first editions . these details , called issue points , include codes on the copyright page binding type dust jacket particularities this is especially important if you are trying to decide if you should purchase a rare book . a book in poor condition , even if it is rare , could have little or no value . collectors want books that are in new , very fine or pristine condition . if a book is heavily damaged or falling apart , the chances are slim that it will have any real value . carefully examine the book you are considering purchasing or that you already own , and look for foxing—are any of the pages yellowed , stained , torn , warped or spotted are there written notations in the margins have sentences been underlined boards—are the front and back boards of the binding firmly attached or are they loose or unhinged plates—are there any plates pictures missing or damaged pages—are there any missing pages anywhere in the book this includes the copyright page and any introduction , forward , dedication or epilogue pages . binding—does the book have its original binding or has it been repaired does the book have its original dust jacket you may think your book is in pretty good condition , but a collector can spot imperfections you may not see . determining how many copies of a book actually exist is not an exact science , but you can get a good idea by searching online databases that list the number of copies that reside in libraries and other institutions . its impossible to know how many more copies exist in private collections , but an online database will give you a rough idea of how many known copies are around . a rare book in good condition and limited known copies is highly marketable . limited edition numbered copies . first printing of first editions that contain a misprint . for example , cold mountain , published in 1997 , had a typographical error on page 25 in the first printing . this issue point is important because it tells collectors that the copy was among the first printing of a first edition—the error was corrected in subsequent editions . first printing copies of the book without the error have a lesser value . limited editions with leather bindings . you can enter the title , author and publisher to begin your search . when a list of matches comes up , carefully compare the attributes of your book to the attributes of the listed books . look for as many detail matches as possible the binding , edition , dust jacket , etc . |
begin with the alphabet . distinguish vowels from consonants . use phonics . recognize punctuation marks . | how to teach yourself to read 1 | the alphabet is where it all begins . the 26 letters that make up the english alphabet are used to form all of the words in the english language , so this is the place to start . there are several ways to get familiar with the alphabet pick the one that suits you and your learning style . sing it . it may seem silly , but theres a reason so many people have learned the alphabet by singing the alphabet song - - it works . the melody aids in memorization and the song as a whole gives learners a picture of the entire alphabet and the relationship between letters . you can listen to the alphabet song online or get someone you know to sing and record it for you so that you can listen to it over and over again as you learn it . feel it . if youre a hands - on learner , consider buying sandpaper letters . look at a letter and then close your eyes , trace your fingers over the letter and repeat the name of the letter and its sound . when youre ready , pick your finger up off the sandpaper and write the letter in the air . move it around . pick up a set of alphabet magnets as a way of learning the individual letters as well as the way theyre sequenced in the alphabet . later , you can reuse these letters to practice forming words . walk it out . if you have the room , try using an alphabet mat as a learning tool . say each letter and its sound as you step on that letter on your mat . have someone call out letters or sounds at random and step on the correct corresponding letter . get your whole body voice included involved by singing the alphabet song and making up a dance as you step your way through the alphabet . there are five vowels in the alphabet a , e , i , o , u the rest of the letters are called consonants . you make vowel sounds in your throat with the help of your tongue and mouth while you form consonants by using your tongue and mouth to control the flow of your breath . vowels can be spoken alone , but consonants cant . for example , the letter a is simply a but b is actually bee , c is see , d is dee and so on . phonics is all about relationships , specifically the relationships between letters and sounds in a language . for example , when you learn that the letter c sounds like sa or ka or that tion sounds like shun , youre learning phonics . find an approach that makes sense to you . phonics is typically taught in one of two ways by whats called a see - and - say approach in which you learn to read whole words or a syllable approach in which you learn how to sound out different letter combinations and put them together to form words . to learn phonics , you must hear the sounds of the syllables andor words . to do that , you need to find an online program , purchase or borrow a dvd from your local library or work with a family member , friend , tutor or instructor who can help you learn the sounds created by various letter combinations and what those look like written out . its important to know what common punctuation marks indicate when youre reading because they can offer information about sentence meanings . comma , when you see a comma , youre meant to pause or slightly hesitate when youre reading . period . a period indicates the end of a sentence . when you reach a period , come to a complete stop and take a deep breath before continuing to read . question mark . when you ask a question , your voice goes up . when you see at the end of sentence , a question is being asked , so make sure your voice rises when youre reading . exclamation point . this mark is used to emphasize an important point or to grab attention . when you read a sentence that ends with , be sure to sound excited or to strongly emphasize the words . |
choose meaningful reading material . read aloud . make time to read . | how to teach yourself to read 2 | since the best readers read with a purpose , it makes sense for you to begin with materials you want to or need to read in your everyday life . these can include things such as short and simple newspapers and magazine articles , work memos , schedules and medical instructions . the best way to get familiar with the words on the page is to say them out loud . working with a teaching partner , sound out unfamiliar words and use the pictures , verbal explanations and context to figure our the meaning of the new words . reading often and for sustained , uninterrupted periods of time will help you develop vocabulary and become a more proficient reader . set aside specific amounts of time each day to devote to reading . keep track of what you read and for how long by creating a reading log . |
attack the words . reread . keep reading . rely on prior knowledge . make predictions . ask questions . visualize . make connections . retell the story . | how to teach yourself to read 3 | word - attack strategies can help you figure out the meaning and pronunciation of unfamiliar words by taking on those words piece by piece and coming at them from different angles . look for picture clues . check out the photos , illustrations or other visuals on the page . explore whats in them people , places , objects , actions that might make sense in the sentence . sound out the word . starting with the first letter , say each letter - sound out loud slowly . then repeat the sounds , blending them together to form the word and considering if the word makes sense in the sentence . chunk it up . look at the word and see if you can pick out any soundsymbols , prefixes , suffixes , endings or base words that you already know . read each chunk by itself and then try blending the chunks together and sound out the word . for example , if you know that pre means before and view means to look at , you could figure out that preview means to look at ahead of time if you approached the word by breaking it up into those two chunks . look for connections . consider whether the unfamiliar word bears any resemblance to a word you might already know . ask yourself if its a chunk or a form of the unfamiliar word . you could also try using the known word in the sentence to see if it makes sense it could be that the meanings of the two words are close enough for understanding . go back over the sentence again . try substituting different words for the word you dont know and see if any of your ideas make sense . rather than getting stuck on a word you dont know , read past it and look for more clues . if the word is used again in the text , compare that sentence to the first and brainstorm as to what word might make sense in both . take into account what you know about the topic of the book , paragraph or sentence . based on your knowledge of the subject matter , is there a word that might make sense in the sentence look at the pictures , table of contents , chapter headings , maps , diagrams and other features of your book . then , based on what you saw , write down what you think the book will be about , what kinds of information might be included . as you read , keep updating your predictions based on what comes up in the text . after reviewing the title , chapter headings , images and other information in the book , write down some questions you might have or things youre now curious about . try to answer these questions as you read and write down the answers you find . if youre left with questions , think about whether you could find those answers from some other source . think of the story youre reading as though it were a movie . get a good mental image of the characters and the setting and try to see the story unfolding in time and space . identify and describe whats happening by making sketches , diagrams or cartoon - style grids . ask yourself if theres anything about the story you can relate to . do any of the characters remind you of someone you know have you had similar experiences have you learned some of the concepts discussed in the book at school , home or through your own life experiences does the style of the story resemble a style youve read before or a movie or television show youve seen write down any similarities you come up with and use them to help with your understanding of the text . one helpful way to ensure that something youve read makes sense to you is to talk through it with someone else . once youve finished a paragraph , article , short story or chapter , sum up in your own words what it was about . hearing yourself say it out loud and discovering if the person on the receiving end has questions you can or cant answer can point out any gaps in your understanding and what you might need to reread for greater clarity . |
access lincs . contact your local library . explore community - based services . get tested for learning disabilities . | how to teach yourself to read 4 | the literacy information and communication service is an online resource sponsored by the u . s . department of education . by accessing their website , you can see a list of literacy programs in your specific geographic area . many of the programs listed are free , but you need to read the details of each listing to be sure . many libraries offer free literacy programs that pair learners or small groups of learners with a trained literacy tutor . these programs are free of charge and are typically offered on an on - going basis so you dont have to wait for a certain start date to begin instruction . check with your local ymca , church , public school or other community group to see if they sponsor a literacy program or if they can pair you with someone whod be willing to help you improve your reading skills . it could be that youve had difficulties learning to read because you suffer from a learning disability . for example , dyslexia , a learning disability characterized by difficulty in interpreting spatial relationships or integrating auditory and visual information , is the most common learning disability and affects about 10 percent of the population . having a learning disability does not mean you wont be able to learn how to read , it just means you may have to use special tools or customize the process by which you learn . |
decide on your topic . jot down some defining characteristics of the topic . write a first , simple draft to build upon . read over your draft and find telling words like looks , very , seems , old , and forms of to be . rewrite the draft , using your imagination and probably a thesaurus to expand the descriptions . note that showing will usually be much longer than telling . continue to revise until you are completely satisfied with the scene you have shown . | how to show and not tell in writing fiction | this should include a character , an action , and a setting . example marie went to the corner store . example marie is elderly and intelligent , the corner store is old but well - kept and familiar to marie , she got there by car . example marie , an elderly woman , went to her car . she locked the door behind her . she drove to the corner store . when she got there she bought some milk and bread and tea and a newspaper and then she went home . in the previous example , the reader is told that marie is elderly and exactly what steps she took to carry out her errand . did you find it engaging example marie put on her glasses , picked up her purse from the table by the garage door and shuffled through the door to her 1998 dodge neon . the hum of the garage door mingled with the struggling engine . come on , old girl , we aint dead yet , marie whispered to the dashboard . she carefully backed out of the driveway and into the street , automatically pressing the button to tell the garage to close . two minutes later , she pulled in at a building whose wooden sign , its fresh paint bright against the weathered walls , proclaimed bennys corner store . marie smoothed her silver ponytail , reapplied her lipstick , and , allowing her joints plenty of time to stretch , maneuvered out one door and in another . but isnt it more fun to imagine the second version continue to practice this concept with every bit of fiction you write . |
understand what the job entails . be open minded and empathetic . be able to meet the spiritual needs of strangers . be trustworthy and able to maintain confidentiality . be available to help at all times . be spiritually strong . obtain your bachelors degree . consider getting a masters degree . determine if you need to receive clinical pastoral education cpe . get ordained by your religious organization . get chaplaincy certification . determine whether you need to complete a residency . become a member of a professional chaplain organization . | how to become a chaplain | a chaplain is ordained or hired by an organization or faith group to minister to peoples needs in a variety of different settings . chaplains commonly work at hospitals , nursing homes , military bases and in prisons . as a chaplain , your role is to connect with people in need of guidance and provide counsel and solace to those who are ill , confined to the home , or deployed away from their hometown . depending on where you are employed , your duties could include visiting people affiliated with your church or synagogue or organization at home or in the hospital , or holding office hours during which people can come to you . listening to and praying with people in need of spiritual support . leading religious services or prayer sessions . providing grief counseling . conducting funeral services . a chaplain must be capable of deep empathy and open to forming relationships with a variety of different people from all backgrounds . as a chaplain , you will be in a position to help people who are at their most vulnerable , whether theyre terminally ill or stationed in a place far away from their home and family . having the ability to connect with people from any type of background is the most important prerequisite for being a chaplain . chaplains working in hospitals and prisons and at military bases interact with people who have a variety of different religious backgrounds . some people seeking spiritual guidance may not be religious at all . to be an effective chaplain , its important to be open to and accepting of all types of religious beliefs , even those different from your own . even if youre affiliated with a particular religious congregation , youll need to be able to work with people who come from many different walks of life . you may be called to counsel someone who has made choices that go against the tenets of your religion , for example . an ability to put your personal opinions aside for the sake of being as helpful and empathetic as possible is important no matter who youre working with . no matter where you work as a chaplain , you will encounter new individuals on a regular basis . there is a chance that you may only meet someone once or twice , and so you must be able to help , inspire , and motivate people with whom youve only just become acquainted . the goal is always to forge deep , meaningful bonds that will sustain people through the very toughest circumstances . it takes a special person to be able to form this type of relationship quickly . one of your main duties as a chaplain will be counseling those under spiritual distress . when people come to you for help , they will share sensitive details with you with the expectation that you keep that information between the two of you . just as a counselor or psychiatrist is expected to remain confidential , you will be expected to do the same . a chaplain who cannot be trusted will soon lose his potency and effectiveness . people experience spiritual crises all throughout the day , even in the middle of the night . depending on where you work , like a doctor on call , you may need to drop what youre doing or wake up at odd hours to help someone who is troubled . being selfless in this way does not come easy to most people it can be exhausting and take a personal toll . its this particular generosity of spirit that makes chaplains special . however , it will be important to erect some boundaries to protect your own personal life . you may or may not choose to give out your personal contact information , for example . depending on where you are employed , there may be other restrictions in place . when you have to offer guidance to people all day long , you may start to feel your energy drain away . as a chaplain , you must be able to help yourself and keep yourself from deteriorating spiritually . being firm in your own spirituality and being able to handle the stress of helping others is integral to becoming a chaplain who can make a difference . many institutions and organizations will not view you as a suitable potential chaplain until you have earned at least a bachelors degree . when seeking to become a chaplain , the most helpful and relevant educational focuses will be theology and counseling . some colleges , universities and seminaries may offer specialized chaplain training with the goal of producing chaplains . however , getting an undergraduate degree in religion or a related field is also sufficient . if you aspire to become a chaplain in a particular institution , like a hospital or prison , supplement your undergraduate education with volunteer experience . this will be looked upon favorably when it comes to applying for jobs . many institutions require that chaplains have at least a masters level education and some prefer candidates with phds . this is especially necessary if you seek to become a hospital or military chaplain . pursue your masters in divinity or a related field , and consider advancing to a doctoral program if the job you desire requires it . such degrees are available at seminaries and accredited universities . a focus on biblical counseling or pastoral care will give you the right tools to become a chaplain . hospital chaplains are often required to receive this training , which provides experience in the field as a supplement to educational coursework . you will have the opportunity to work with people in need in a healthcare facility or prison . cpe brings together chaplains of all different faiths and provides them with real - world , invaluable experience that will be applied on the job later on . its a requirement for many certification programs . look into cpe centers at the type of facility where you want to work , so youll gain experience working with that particular population . the cpe program is divided into units . one unit typically takes about 3 months to complete . some certification programs require that you complete up to 4 units . because the chaplain occupation is rooted in religion , training in religious education and practice is a necessity . in some cases you may be required to be ordained and endorsed by your religious organization before youre hired as a chaplain . for example , the us army requires that you be a clergy person in your denomination or faith group in order to apply . many religious groups and organizations have their own standards and qualifications that you must meet before you can be officially endorsed as an eligible chaplain . determine what steps you need to take to become a clergy person in your congregation . in many cases , a graduate - level degree from a seminary will be required in order to become a clergy person . in addition to ordination , your faith group must give you an endorsement , stating that you have the ecclesiastical qualifications to adequately represent your faith group and be a competent chaplain . depending on where you want to work , you may be required to obtain certification from an organization recognized by the association of professional chaplains . there are many national chaplain organizations that each have slightly different standards for certifying chaplains . choose the one that best matches your beliefs and work ambitions . in general , youll need to pass a written test meet the following requirements to receive certification ordination as a minister or the equivalent in your faith group endorsement from your faith group a graduate degree in theology or a related subject four units of cpe completed some hospitals and other facilities require that chaplains complete a residency before permanently coming on board as a chaplain . residencies are completed under the supervision of a senior chaplain and may last one to two years . once the residency has been completed to the organizations satisfaction , the candidate can become a chaplain . resident chaplains work with families and hospital staff and attend lectures and seminars as part of their training . in the united states , the largest group for professional chaplains is the association for professional chaplains , which accepts members from many different religious backgrounds . there exist a number of other chaplaincy organizations , and they all have their own requirements for membership . becoming a member of one of these organizations is a great way to network with other chaplains and gain access to job opportunities as they arise . |
establish the premise . emphasize the conflict in the novel . show character development . outline the plot . be clear about the books ending . review your synopsis . make sure your synopsis answers the important questions . keep practicing . | how to write a book synopsis 1 | although the synopsis is a very brief snapshot of a much larger work , you still need to take the time to establish the overall premise of the novel and include any essential information the reader would need to understand the story . imagine someone is reading the synopsis before the book . what information is critical to include are there specific details about the setting of the novel or the world youve created that a reader would need to understand remember , you are trying to draw the reader into the story , so include a few interesting details that help people visualize where and when this is occurring . it can be overwhelming trying to decide what to include in a synopsis , but a good rule of thumb is to identify and outline the main conflict in the story . what struggles does the protagonist or main character confront in the book are there specific obstacles the characters encounter that you should mention in the synopsis what will happen if the protagonist fails or stumbles while it can be frustrating to try and condense a novels worth of awesome character development into a synopsis , many literary agents report that they want synopses to demonstrate how the main character changes over the course of the novel . try to keep the main characters from appearing one - dimensional by showing how they react to different situations . even though you dont have a lot of space in the synopsis , you can still provide readers with a sense of who the characters are and how they change over the course of the story . because the synopsis is designed to be a summary of the book , you will need to outline the plot of your novel and give a sense of the novels narrative direction . it can be hard not to get bogged down in details , but a good place to start is by including a brief summary 1 to 2 sentences of each chapter . then , try to link and connect these summaries together . you wont be able to include all plot details , so try to identify the ones that are critical to understanding the book . ask yourself if the ending would still make sense without that detail . if so , then leave it out of the synopsis . you might be reluctant to spoil the ending , but a synopsis should be clear about the novels ending and ultimate resolution . literary agents want to know how you resolve the conflict in the novel and tie up your story . dont worry . if your story is published , the synopsis wont be included on the back of the book and spoil the story for readers . its important for you to review the synopsis , and also ask other people to review the synopsis . the more feedback you seek from others , the clearer you can make your synopsis . it can be helpful to read your synopsis out loud because you will be better able to notice grammar mistakes and find opportunities to improve the wording . your brain has to process the information in a different way when you read aloud , and you often notice mistakes and problems you previously overlooked . ask friends , family members , or colleagues who have not read the book yet or arent familiar with what you are working on to read the synopsis . they will be able to provide a more objective view , and let you know if the synopsis makes sense to them and draws them into the story . before you submit your synopsis , make sure it provides an answer to the following critical questionswho is the central character in the book what are they looking for , searching for , or trying to achieve who or what makes their search , quest , or journey difficult what ends up happening many writers report that synopses are among the most difficult pieces to write because they are trying to distill an entire books worth of material into a few paragraphs . fortunately , however , the more often you practice writing synopses , the better you will be at this exercise . to get practice writing synopses , try working on one for a classic book or try writing a synopsis of a book you just read . sometimes it is easier to start out practicing on a book that you havent spent hours , days , or years preparing . |
follow any specific guidelines provided . include a brief summary of the book . outline the structure of the work . identify how your book is different from the competition . discuss the market for the book . address your time table . provide additional details . promote your credentials . ask for feedback . | how to write a book synopsis 2 | if you are working with an agent or a specific publisher , make sure you ask them about or familiarize yourself with their specific guidelines for the synopsis . you want to make sure you format it and submit it the way they want so it gets the best reception possible . if you are unsure , ask the agent or publisher about length , formatting , and style . even if this is an assignment for a class , make sure you adhere to the instructions or guidelines your teacher provided . just like a synopsis for a work of fiction , you need to offer a brief summary of the content . focus on clearly articulating your argument , and explain why the book should be published . make an argument for why your book is important in some way . even if you have not finished the book , you should still be able to provide a clear outline of its structure in the synopsis . provide a chapter breakdown with temporary titles for each chapter , which will give an agent or publisher a good idea of the direction the work is headed . you can also include a short description 1 to 2 sentences of each chapter . in the synopsis , explain what sets your book apart from existing material on the subject . discuss how you bring something different to the table . for example , does your book offer a unique perspective or a new way of thinking about a topic list the leading authors and publications in the field and be clear about how your project is original . also , describe why you are the author best suited or qualified to produce this work . a publisher will look at your book and try to determine its place in the market and the intended audience . take space in the synopsis to discuss where you see the book fitting in to the existing market . include information on the section of the bookstore or bookshop you see your book being stocked in . this helps publishers assess whether the book will have an audience and how it should be marketed . are there groups you think would have a definite interest in this book for example , would this be used in specific college courses , or are there events such as historical anniversaries that the book could be linked to and marketed around , many nonfiction books are accepted while still being written , but you should provide a clear time table of your anticipated progress in the synopsis . discuss how much is currently completed , and give an estimate of when you expect to have a manuscript prepared . include other pertinent details in the synopsis , such as an estimated word count and information about whether you will need illustrations . the more information you include about the structure and format of the book , the easier it will be for a publisher to determine if they would like to take the project on . to strengthen your synopsis , share the interesting and unique credentials that helped you write the book . while education and training are important things to mention , also think about whether there are parts of your background or life that publishers and readers may find interesting . like any writing activity , sharing a draft of your synopsis with others can help you improve your wording and make the synopsis clearer and more compelling . ask friends , family , and colleagues for feedback on a draft . you do not have to be a specialist in the field to determine if a synopsis is interesting and readable , so dont worry about finding someone who is an expert on the subject matter you write about . |
dont write the synopsis from the perspective of your main character . pare down your wording . avoid revealing too many character details or introducing secondary characters . stop analyzing or interpreting the books themes . dont leave unanswered or rhetorical questions in the synopsis . avoid writing a synopsis that is simply a basic plot summary . | how to write a book synopsis 3 | the synopsis should be written from a third - person perspective rather than from the point of view of your main characters . synopses are also usually written in present rather than past tense . for example , instead of writing i went to the beach house every summer , write , susan travels to the beach every summer . synopses are meant to be brief , and wordiness is a common mistake in synopses . although it can feel painful to cut out dialogue and trim down wording , it will help you create a more sleek and readable synopsis . ask yourself if all the details are really relevant to the synopsis or if they can be left out . if your reader can still get a good idea of what the book is about without those details , scrap them . dialogue is usually unnecessary in the synopsis , but if you do include it , keep it to a minimum and make sure it is used to reveal an important turning point or character development . dont worry about making your prose lyrical or elaborate . it will take up too much space , and you should focus your energy on using precise wording and providing a clear summary of your book . when you re - read your synopsis , ask yourself if there is a clearer or more precise word you could use in place of the one you currently included . youve probably spent a lot of time developing your characters and their backstories , but the synopsis is not the place to explore all of these details or introduce every character in your book . include just enough detail to make the characters interesting and establish how they are connected or related . in the synopsis , a few phrases are typically sufficient to explain who a character is and where they come from . the synopsis is intended to be a summary or brief overview of the book , so do not feel pressured to engage in literary analysis or interpretation of the books themes or hidden meanings . the synopsis is not the place for this kind of examination . although you might feel tempted to build suspense and leave certain questions unanswered or ask rhetorical questions , these will distract the reader from your synopsis . for example , dont write , will tyler ever identify his mothers killer instead of posing this question , your synopsis should provide an answer . you want your synopsis to draw readers in and make them want to read the entire work . offering a basic play - by - play of the story will make the reader feel like they are reviewing a dry , technical manual . instead try to inject more emotion and detail into the synopsis by giving insight into how the characters feel . if you find yourself writing things such as this happened , then this happened , and finally , this occurred , its time to take a break and revisit the synopsis when you are feeling fresh . you dont want the synopsis to feel like a boring rundown of a sports game . some writers suggest pretending you are describing the book to your friends in the same way you would describe an exciting movie . omit the boring or trivial details and focus on the highlights . |
double space the synopsis . be sure to include your books title and your name . use a standard font . indent paragraphs . pay attention to length guidelines . | how to write a book synopsis 4 | if the synopsis is longer than one page in length , double space the document . it will be easier for the literary agent to read . when you are rushing to finish your synopsis , it can be easy to forget including the title of your book and your name . make sure these details are on each page of the document in the upper left - hand corner . if a literary agent likes your synopsis , you want to make sure they know who to contact . while you might feel like you should use a more interesting font , its best to stick with a standard one such as times new roman that is easy to read and will open on a variety of devices . if you typed your book in a certain font , stick with the same font for the synopsis so they match . you might also be submitting sample chapters , and the documents will look like they are part of the same package or go together . although the synopsis is a shorter document , you do not want it to appear like you wrote it in a stream of consciousness . to prevent this from happening , indent paragraphs so your synopsis looks neat and well - organized . length requirements of synopses vary depending on the literary agent or publishing company . make sure you follow the guidelines you are given or ask the agent or publisher you are working with what they would prefer . some writers recommend starting with a 5 page synopsis , and then condensing this document and trimming it down as needed . be prepared for different length requirements ahead of time by having a 1 page and 3 page synopsis on hand . even if the length requirements are slightly different , you should be able to easily adapt a 1 page or 3 page version . |
get started . watch her television shows or movies . know her well . practice singing . be friendly . try helping out at a charity event , or participating in a good cause , like the terry fox run or breast cancer awareness walks , or maybe you can take part in a recycling project or helping clean out shelters or streets or something similar . dont care about what other people say . be talented , dont listen to rumours . have fun in everything youre doing | how to be inspired by hilary duff | hilary started out as an actress first . if your school is putting on a production , play or musical , take part in it even if it includes singing , because you never know , one day you might be discovered . hilary started out in a disney channel show lizzie mcguire , for younger audiences . remember to start out slow , and be patient dont rush into anything . in this way , you can relate to her characters and you can see the way she acts in a depressing role , or maybe in a happy and bubbly role , or maybe even a down - to - earth typical girl like you role . watch everything her expressions , her moods , and the way she acts , so that you can be inspired to do some similar acting , if you ever break into showbiz . shes a texas girl , and even if youre not from texas , its okay because hilarys got a lot of things in common with you . for example , she has two ex - boyfriends , she has an older sister haylie , she loves spending time with her family and she keeps a puppy as a pet a lot of these things may be similar in your life , so dont think shes from another planet . shes a normal girl , just like you no , you dont have to be a perfectionist when it comes to acting and singing , but you might as well try stretching out your vocal cords . you can go on google to look for tips on how to sing well , or how to practice singing . you could join the choir in your school , or maybe even just practice singing by yourself in your bedroom or even in the shower . youll eventually get a nice voice , and you could take part in musicals or offer singing for charity , or something similar . change your greediness and selfishness and replace it with love and care . and if you cant do that , turn into an optimist . look at the bright side of things . if you think somebodys got a better life than you and is more appreciated , be thankful youre not alone . dont look down on yourself hilary supports a stack of charities , and is constantly visiting orphanages , hospitals and homeless people . i bet you didnt know that hilary and her older sister haylie duff invited a few sick orphans to the set of their movie material girls . help peoples wishes come true . if a friend needs help , help her you dont have to say no or tell her to go away just to be cool in front of your friends . well , thats not cool at all . what is cool is to help somebody when they need it . someday youll be rewarded for that . when hilary duff changed her sweet girl look to a more sophisticated look , in 2008 , there is no need to be critical . a lot of people reported that it didnt look nice , and she should remain the sweet daddys girl always . however , its her decision to change her appearance . after all , everybody grows up eventually and changes their looks , personality and appearance , so why not hilary besides , shes twenty three years old and she needs her space . you can introduce changes as well , but if youre younger its probably better not to do things like dye your hair or wear black leather jackets . it will take time just to become a successful business woman , let alone create two perfumes and your own fashion line . however , anything is possible if you just believe in it . hilary is a spokeswoman and a businesswoman , and allowing yourself to be inspired by that , you could always take subjects in school , such as economics , business studies , travel and tourism , etc . being smart and working hard now can help you achieve your goals in the future , believe it or not hilary is a modest person and an overall sweet girl . if there were any bad rumours flying around about her , hilary would snap them off by declaring them untrue . she also surrounds herself with wise people and is a very strong person herself |
choose your celebrity , go fact - finding , surround yourself , get pictures , talk about them , get writing , buy their books , keep it in perspective , be inspired by your celebrity | how to be a fan of a celebrity you like | you never know , the main actor in that film you saw or the new artist with videos on youtube may be just what youre looking for just watch or listen to something different , and see if you like it . if you are looking for someone else , this may be the way to go about it . look up facts on them , visit a fan club site , look at pictures of them . get to know their history - their career - anything that hints at who they are and what theyve done . you could do such things such as listening to their music or watching one of their films . or , if you prefer to be really creative , how about making a fan book about them get a good quality notebook , write about them , stick in images or notes , whatever to make your book special . put them up on your bedroom wall so you can look at them whenever you like . or , if you reckon youre a good at drawing , you could have a go at drawing a picture of them do so carefully . put it up in your room , and when people see they can know how much you love the celebrity dont worry if they have never heard of him or dont like himher that much , just because shehe is not the most popular celeb on the street , that you like him is the only thing that matters write to their fan mail address and write a bit about yourself and why you like their work so much . however , be careful not to be tempted to scribble i love you youre so hot will you marry me all over the page as it may seem a bit over the top to them . a celebritys favorite fan is a respectful one , who wont fill the page with such content . remember to say thank - you for reading the letter who knows - you might get a reply lots of celebrities are into writing autobiographies etc . and a great way to show your appreciation of the celebrity is to read their literature . if youre feeling brave , write a review theres nothing wrong with being a great fan , but its important to keep a grip on your own life . youre unlikely to have a conversation with them , so it may be wise to be a fan , but not to dream too much about the celebrity . thats not to say you should give up take notes on things you like about them , like helping charity , as you could do this too . you could make them your role model , if youre really fanatic , and get into activities they like |
stay quiet . limit social activity . know the people you interact with . network . own a laptop . learn to write the perfect report , presentation or anything . spend less time with the television . improve your memory . get to work , dont waste time . respect yourself . be well - rounded and knowledgeable . | how to be inspired by lisbeth salander | dont speak unless its really important or you are answering something that is worth your time . only talk when you know you have all of your facts straight . only talk when you are pretty much done with your research , your report is on the table , or after you already have all the information you need to get your point across . associate mostly with people you can benefit from . small talk is senseless only talk to people in order to get to your destination . if you are at a bar sitting alone , ignore people who try talking to you . gain knowledge by using your own sources . read from books and internet sources to learn . dont give out information about yourself without knowing who youre talking to . is this person really trustworthy even though you talk to barely anyone make sure you talk to the right people . research a bit about the person you want to network with , why they would be useful for you to have in your network , and always have them on the back burner in case you ever need them . you never know when youll need a famous boxer to help you or your loved ones out of a situation . or powerbook . a good quality laptop is essential since much of your knowledge and access to everything revolves around that . learn how to navigate the internet and use it to your benefit . you want to look competent in what youre doing . if its a school project , it needs to be perfect . if its your dissertation , it needs to be flawless with no points missing . learn how to write in mla or apa format , whichever your schoolclass requires , and know how to cite your sources perfectly . use books and internet to help you do this . you never hear of lisbeth watching tv or going to the movies or doing something that is wasting time . instead read to improve your knowledge and to research . find articles and methods that teach you how to improve your memory . lisbeth had photographic memory . even if you are nowhere near that , you can practice and try to improve your own memory . as soon as the assignment is given , your brain should be already churning . what to do where to go who to see do not procrastinate . get to work and dont sleep until youre finished . dont let anyone say youre not good enough . dont take no for an answer . be persistent . if someone puts you down , stand up for yourself . try to know a little bit about everything . read the papercurrent news . know a little bit about astronomy , math , chemistry , biology , etc . take a self - defense class . learn to box . do things that would make you not rely on other people for help . |
watch his movies , follow him in the news . collect pictures of him . join a fan club . read his wikipedia page . write a letter to him . | how to appreciate tom cruise | tom is currently an impressive actor . he has been in numerous movies such as top gun , rain man , days of thunder , far and away , mission impossible 1 - 4 , war of the worlds , and valkyrie . watch these films and admire his acting talent . be up to date on what he is doing . admire him for his goals and achievements . see the tips section for an example . you can learn more about him , his family and life . but dont get your hopes up for a reply . |
aged 29 and with only 109 in the bank , stallone wrote rocky in three days . stallone refused to sell rocky unless producers chartoff - winkler allowed him to star . rocky won the oscar for best picture 1976 beating taxi driver and received 9 other oscar nominations . stallone filmed some rocky scenes while he had the flu and salmonella . stallone writes his own material . his slurred speech is actually caused by a paralysis on the lower left side of his face brought on by birth complications . he turned down the role of john mcclane in die hard . he graduated from the university of miami with a bachelors degree . he wrote most of the articles and interviews for his sly magazine himself . | how to appreciate sylvester stallone | , he wrote all of the rocky and rambo films , and also directed rocky ii , iii , iv , rocky balboa , and the 4th installment of the rambo series . , hes that awesome . , |
understand ulysses . dont use a guidebook . understand that its funny . youre not going to understand everything . take your time with each chapter . know your episode . use the schemas . read it aloud . set up a schedule . read james joyces other works beforehand . annotate . laugh . | how to read ulysses | before learning how to read ulysses , you have to know what youre getting into . ulysses comprises 18 episodes . each of these episodes was serialized separately , and each one reads completely differently . for example , episode 14 parodies all of the great authors of the english language , going from chaucer to dickens , and episode 18 is a lengthy monologue of about 10 , 000 words that comprises two giant run - on sentences . every episode reads like a completely different book , and therein lies the beauty of ulysses . when doing a formal , academic study of ulysses , you should buy some form of guidebook . these books are about four hundred pages thick and explain ulysses line by line . this is good because ulysses is full of esoteric puns and references , and the guidebooks explain it all . however , switching from guidebook to guidebook over and over is very annoying . the best way to read ulysses , if youre trying to read it for fun , is to just dive right in , saving all of those guidebooks for a college course . no , really , this 700 page text is hilarious . the entire idea of the novel is that joyce is taking the epic heroes of the odyssey and turning them into these pathetic dubliners . the end of episode 4 features a ten page poop joke written in the same elevated language as the odyssey . understanding that every sentence has some form of joke in it , be it some esoteric reference to literature or a subtle pun , turns ulysses into a very intelligent comedy . but thats mostly because joyce designed it that way . part of the joke is that youre not going to get everything , and theres humor in that . laugh whenever you dont get something , because youve just walked into one of the most brilliant practical jokes in literature . because each chapter is written differently , it takes a few pages to get into the rhythm of each episode . since each episode has a different style , knowing what to appreciate beforehand can help . as such , here is a list of all of the episodes and their brand of comedy . episode 1 normal novel . episode 2 an informal catechism . episode 3 elitist masculine monologue . episode 4 poking fun at the great heroes of yore . episode 5 the hypnotic nature of religion . episode 6 death . episode 7 making fun of journalism its written like a newspaper pay attention to the headlines . episode 8 food puns , everything can be eaten and everything eats in this chapter . episode 9 making fun of hamlet and elitists who debate over obscure pieces of literature very much so making fun of certain scholars who would later analyze ulysses . episode 10 this chapter has nothing to do with the main characters . it is instead presented as a bunch of short stories surrounding the side characters . the humor comes in the fact that it is largely pointless and that most of the side characters make fun of the main characters . episode 11 everything is a music pun . a lot of onomatopoeia is used . episode 12 there are two narrators one who is hyper - colloquial to the point of not making sense , and one who is hyper - scientific to the point of not making sense . the competition between the narrators produces the comedy . episode 13 narrated by a young girl , and everything is a sex joke . episode 14 an elaborate parody of all the great english authors . episode 15 written as a hallucinatory play in the red light district . episode 16 this chapter is super ambiguous , and the comedy comes from mistaking characters for other characters . episode 17 written as a catechism , the comedy comes from the hyper - scientific question and answer format being applied to the mundane . episode 18 streaming consciousness of blooms wife . joyce wrote two graphic organizers . they are called the schemas . use them to introduce yourself to the chapter . they can be found herehttpsen . wikipedia . orgwikilinatischemaforulysses and herehttpsen . wikipedia . orgwikigilbertschemaforulysses in an irish accent , preferably . a lot of the puns make more sense when heard . reading this novel is difficult , so you have to set up a schedule for yourself or youll give up . a lot of ulysses makes fun of dubliners and a portrait of the artist as a young man , so reading them beforehand allows you to practice reading joyces style and give you background knowledge for some of joyces jokes . when you get a joke , write it down in the margins . itll help you comprehend other similar jokes . this is a work of comic fiction . laugh aloud . laugh at everything . its funny . |
explore films other than twilight that he appears in . learn that hes not a recording artist , but has composed songs . avoid the rumors about his love life . realize that hes a human being , like everyone else . get the most out of real interviews . avoid fan - made youtube videos . | how to appreciate robert pattinson | robert pattinson did not start his career as a vampire , so appreciate what hes done in the past , as well as future media . harry potter and the goblet of fire plays as cedric diggory , a student above harry potter . the bad mothers handbook a bbc tv drama , robert plays as daniel gale , a quiet schoolmate whom is befriended by a rebellious teenage girl with her own family problems . how to be comedydrama movie , he plays art arthur , whom is trying to find his self during a life crisis , including a relationship breakup , jobs , and a relationship void between himself and his parents . remember me executive producer to this drama film , he plays a troubled adolescence and falls in love with a girl that has a similar life background . two of his songs , never think and let me sign are featured in the movie twilight , as well as the soundtrack . in addition , he has contributed three songs to how to be soundtrack . he has stated in many interviews that he does think about composing music in the future . its reasonable to say that until it comes out of his mouth in a physical interview or professional source website , not to believe any dating rumors between him and his co - stars , such as kristen stewart . when he doesnt answer love life questions , please respect that . no one is literally perfect when it comes to hygiene or fashion . with busy and hectic schedules , hes also known for wearing the same clothes or not washing his hair . he prefers the fashion of marc jacobs . appreciate him the most by watching segments or appearances that he makes , such as the today show , the daily show with john stewart , and late night with jimmy fallon . these only view an actors or actresss looks and acting performance . look outside the box and appreciate more than that . |
understand what is happening to your sense of propriety . allow time to heal . be cautious about the media reporting of the situation or issue causing your idol to fall in your esteem . aim to be understanding . be compassionate . analyze your expectations that cause you to idolize people in positions of power and fame . appreciate the good in your fallen idol . | how to deal with a fallen idol | when someone in a position of power or fame does something untoward , something unlike their usual self , or breaches conventions unexpectedly , it tends to offend many peoples sense of propriety or what they thought was right about this person . sometimes the manufactured nature of the front this person put toward society becomes all too clear when they do something that brings about their demise . it may well be that the feeling of being offended comes about because you feel that the person in question is a hypocrite , is not authentic , and is a false representation of the characteristics that they were publicly held out as having . in turn , realize that your expectations of this person being a paragon of virtue may have been very unrealistic . many of the steps in this article will ask you to try to set aside your initial reaction in order to try to see things from your fallen idols perspective and to try to distance yourself from media hype . all the same , it is important to mourn the loss of your belief in this person or what you believe they stood for , and to give yourself space to heal over what can very much feel like a sense of betrayal . bear in mind that healing doesnt involve condoning or forgetting this persons actions or attitudes the aim is to minimize the impact of your loss of faith in this person and to try to redeem what remains good out of the disappointment . you werent at the event or in the situation , and you dont know the person for real , and neither do most of those reporting the incident or situation in question . it is easy to suppose or guess at what a person may or may not have done , or have felt compelled by , but it is far harder to confirm the facts and motivations . in general , what the public learns is usually only the partial truth and judging a person based on pulp media musings is liable to be riddled with misunderstandings . consider the situation of people who release auto - biographies years after they had something happen to them that besmirched their very public reputation . in such reveal - alls , you will often learn the persons own view of what motivated them and why they felt they were justified or repentant , etc . you will also learn from these that the medias role was less than angelic , was speculative , and was often wrong . many an autobiography or biography , has changed a readers perspective about a person . it may be years before you really get a grip on what the person in question did or what the situation really was about . imagine what it must feel like to be under the spotlight 247 . despite the money , the fame , and the power , there is a large amount of responsibility to behave in a certain way all of the time that creates a lot of pressure . and that pressure can sometimes cause a person to feel tense , nervous , angry , and cooped up . the chattering adulation may come to mean little , and a person in the constant public spotlight may long for a time when people leave them alone . alternatively , sometimes fame and power can lead people to believe that they are capable of anything and that the normal rules dont apply to them because their money or allure is a form of persuasion that works , opening doors that most people can only imagine . this heady fame and power trip isnt handled well by some who lose their sense of self , self - discipline , and boundaries . and unless you have been there , it is a little difficult to say you wouldnt fall that way . realize that the person might have been raised very differently from you , might see the world very differently from you , or could have been taught or encouraged to do the things they do . this aspect of your idol was probably always present but was not obvious until they fouled up . try to stand in your fallen idols shoes and imagine how they must feel when their indiscretions , stuff - ups , or sheer stupidity has exposed them so openly , and placed them at the mercy of the publics disgust , contempt , or hatred . its surely not a good place to be and if its something that can never be lived down , they will suffer an internal struggle for the rest of their lives , let alone being the poster child for whatever indiscretion or mistake they made . consider whether you really feel such abhorrence or disgust and whether it is right to feel that you are in a good position to judge a person harshly for the rest of their life ask yourself if you feel so morally superior to this person that you think it is all right to gossip and degrade them with any opportunity you get . are you a gossiper and rumormonger normally bear in mind that in joining the outraged mob , you leave little room for being imperfect in your own life . compassion enables you to forgive the person for their error and to let them be , to find their own pathway to self - forgiveness . compassion does not mean that you have to condone what they did it simply means that you do not place yourself in a position of superiority to them , and that you recognize that you too could make similar mistakes if given similar circumstances , or at the very least , it is recognition that nobodys slate is clean . think of your past actions , and how unfair it would be for others to view you in your worst moments . think how difficult it is nowadays when many situations can be preserved forever , such as text messages and videos . what do you get from admiring people to such a point that they seemingly can do no wrong in your eyes consider the possibility that this a rather unrealistic way to view some people in society , especially since youre hardly likely to do this with most people you know . think about how you care for people generally you know most of your family and friends have foibles but you love them or like them all the same , or you choose to overlook the foibles and get along with them at the very least . if you liked this person up to the moment of their demise , there is no reason to cease appreciating the art , beauty , cleverness , changes , etc . that they have brought into the world . to deny your enjoyment of their music , sportsmanship , acting , scientific discoveries , writing , etc . would be akin to your boss telling you that all your work up to the point that he decided to call you on a bad report was for naught and was being erased . how wasteful and abrupt a response all of us are made up of many facets , and none of us are saints . we spend much of life learning to build on our strengths , manage our weaknesses , and trying to lead a good life . and we all slip up occasionally . as complex beings , it would be unrealistic and unfruitful to deny every product of our labor and every creation from our thoughts when a bad characteristic errs out of proportion with our whole self . |
set yourself up somewhere comfortable . read where there is sufficient lighting . read somewhere quiet . choose a suitable digital device for reading . keep digital reading for evening and early nighttime only . if you enjoy reading in bed at night but this entails disturbing someone else , try some of these solutions use a book light that clips onto the book . ensure that you are getting enough sleep . read something light . change your reading habits . | how to read at night | ensure that you have good support for your back and neck , especially after a hard days work at the office or after staring at a screen all day . its important to sit or lie in a way that wont cause you any neck or back pain or strain . ensure that you have good back and neck support if lying down or sitting on soft objects such as a couch . add something helpful such as a horseshoe pillow or a large slanted pillow . small neck pillows may be helpful too . if youre not sure what will help , talk to your physiotherapist for advice . do not strain your eyes reading at night sit or lie near a source of good lighting , such as a lamp , an overhead light or a book reading light . if you need reading glasses , wear them . they will reduce the strain that causes your eyes to feel tired . the brain is not made to multi - task , and if you try to watch tv and read at the same time , youll find it is ineffective and frustrating . give yourself the luxury of not reading and watching tv at the same time tv is a distraction , reading requires your full concentration . find a quiet place in the house if everyone else is reading . for some , this might mean an ereader , for others , a laptop or tablet . whatever you choose , ensure that you can read with ease , that there is sufficient light and that the reading device is either supported or its not too heavy to hold . some digital devices suitable for reading come with a stand or you are able to purchase one separately , to allow for hands - free reading . avoid reading on a digital device prior to bedtime or late at night . this is because the bright screen can delay or suppress the release of melatonin , the hormone that regulates your circadian clock and helps you to feel sleepy . it is probably a good idea to always turn down the level of brightness of the reading screen and to stop reading on the device about two hours before your intended bedtime . this will keep the light source directly over the book and not on the other person . read under the covers with a flashlight . this is a good one for when its cold however , it does need a reasonably large bed so that you can stretch comfortably and make allowance for the flashlights positioning . pop a campinghiking lamp on your head . read before bed . make yourself comfortable on the couch or elsewhere even the guest room to do your reading , then quietly tiptoe to bed when you start feeling sleepy . avoid reading on a digital device unless its very dim and your sleeping partner shows no evidence of being disturbed by it . consider an audio book instead . that way , you can put earphones in , hide any light source and listen to your favorite book in the dark , until youre sleepy . get your partner to read to you . collaboration is fantastic for long - term relationships live with someone who can sleep through anything . needing more sleep will bring on sleepiness when reading at night , accompanied by the effort put into reading . if you tend to feel sleepy when reading at night , stick to reading material that isnt asking much of you intellectually . if you dont have to try to grasp the theory of x but only have to read about the romance of y , you wont be thinking as hard , and itll be less likely to cause drowsiness . if you are enjoying your reading , as opposed to having to read it because its for work , class , etc . then its likely you wont feel so drowsy either . if youre studying or finalizing work , consider doing the tough reading earlier in the night . that way , you can leave lighter reading for bedtime . it might be that you associate reading with bed . if so , cease reading in bed and do not read lying down at nighttime . sit or stand to read instead . experiment with different positions , to see if any make you more sleepy and others help you to stay awake while reading . |
look at the text ahead of time . calculate how long you should spend on each section . review what your goals are . use a guide or pointer . be an active reader . scan for important words . relax your face , dont let your eye take in every word . stop subvocalization . learn speed - reading . know when to stop skimming and start reading . schedule your reading session . choose a quiet environment . make yourself comfortable . avoid distractions . be awake and alert . | how to read a long chapter book in two or three hours | first , look at the table of contents . take note of how many chapters or sections there are and how many pages are in each . flip through the book and take notes of charts , pictures , or subsections . take a stab at what the book will cover ahead of time , this will assist with active reading later . for example , if there are fifteen chapters and you have three hours , you should divide 180 60 minutes x 3 by fifteen . in this example , each chapter will take , on average , 12 minutes . whatever the amount of time you calculate , this is not a hard and fast time , it is just a tool to help you keep track of your time and progress . you need to factor in times for breaks and also understand that some chapters will take longer amount of time and some will take a shorter amount of time to complete . knowing your goals will help you pay attention to the right things and not waste time on irrelevant aspects of the book . are you going to be quizzed on the material are you trying to learn a specific skill from the pages are you supposed to be paying attention to certain aspects of the book a character , the way the author uses language , etc . knowing exactly what you need to get out of the reading will help you focus on whats important and not waste time reading and retaining something immaterial to your goal . whether you use your finger , a piece of a paper , a bookmark , or a pen , a pointer will help guide how much you read . hold it up to the word or line of text and move it as you complete reading . sometimes you will want to read faster , sometimes you will want to read slower . the more you use it , the more it will guide how quickly you can read . dont wait for the story to come to you . anticipate what is going to happen and what you need to retain , and look for those , whether they are facts , plot points , or important themes . instead of reading every sentence , let your eyes grab onto the major words . after time you will find that you can take in the bigger meaning of the paragraph with just these few words . you can always quickly rescan if you want to retain more information . instead of your eye tracking every single word , take advantage of your peripheral vision to see what is coming ahead of time . begin to see text as a group of words that you can take in all at once . subvocalization is when you see a word and then think the entire word in your head . if you stop doing this , you will save a lot of time while reading . in order to turn off this part of your mind , you can occupy it with something else , like you can chew gum , counting from one to ten over and over again , or keep repeating a - e - i - o - u in your head . speed reading is a specific skill that takes practice and dedication . there are many apps and books you can get to help you do this , but it might not be worth it if you need to read a chapter book in 2 - 3 hours today . keep in mind that sometimes speed - reading can affect your comprehension , so there is a trade off . occasionally you will come across an important part of the book . at these places it is important to stop skimming and read more deeply so you will retain more . reading an important part closely is as important as reading a lot of parts not closely . if you can tell it is an important part of the book , you may want to mark it with a pen , highlighter , pencil , bookmark , or turning the page down . instead of squeezing your reading time into an already full day , set aside in 2 - 3 hours of reading like it was an activity or event you need to show up at . by dedicating specific time to reading , you will limit distractions and interferences . you will want to read in a quiet place with no distractions , not a convivial area where you might begin a conversation or get distracted by conversations around you . you might want to go to a library or stay in your house when it is empty . avoid places that will trigger interruptions or disturbances—you may fall asleep in your bed , you may look for food in a kitchen . because you will be in one place for several hours , you will want to make sure you are not in pain and will remain comfortable for a long amounts of time . pay attention to your posture . make sure the lighting is good so you will not strain your eyes . make sure you have lower back support , either from a chair , a pillow , or a rolled - up sweatshirt . it will be very tempting to put down the book and do something else . you must resist these distractions and plan for them ahead of time . turn off your phone . stay away from a computer , handheld device , video games , or television . even food can be a distraction . make sure you have eaten ahead of time or have a snack on hand so that you will not get up and go somewhere else . if you are reading in a short amount of time , you will need to stay focused . you should read the book during the time of day you feel most alert . for example , do not begin reading right before you typically go to sleep , or you risk falling asleep . you can also try drinking caffeine or drinking cold water . |
read his wikipedia biography . read some of his quotes . make chuck norris jokes . watch episodes of walker , texas ranger on netflix . watch the movies he starred in . do a roundhouse kick . practice chun kuk do . follow him on facebook . keep up with everything going on in his life . | how to appreciate chuck norris | there is a lot more to him than just his actor roles and the internet memes . you might just find some inspiration from them . as stupid as some of them may be , making up jokes of your own can be fun make some up to your friends and family , and have them share some jokes of their own . there are seven seasons available to watch , so you have a lot of episodes that you can choose from . you may also be able to watch episodes in syndication . his most famous movies include code of silence , the delta force , and firewalker . you can look at his profile on the internet movie database to see his full filmography . this is his most famous martial arts move , after all . chun kuk do is a korean - american martial arts style that he invented . you can watch videos of how to perform chun kuk do on youtube . you can also become a member of the united fighting arts federation , which is an organization that he founded . this will give you some insight on his personal life , as well as giving you the chance to contact him . besides his facebook page , you can also learn news about him by researching online . |
block out distractions while youre reading . nail down the basic questions of the novel before tackling the headier themes . think about the narrators role in the story , if they have one . think about the style . summarize the main events of each chapter or part once you finish it . read with a partner or group . search for symmetry , coincidence , and common motifs . reconsider the beginning of the novel once youve finished . form your own opinion on the book , but back it up with facts . | how to read a novel 1 | the best novels allow you to sink into them , becoming engrossed in the world of the novel while the outside world drops away . giving your full attention to a book is the best way to read and understand it , whether youre reading novels or textbooks . novels , however , are often told in a unique way , meaning you need time to get accustomed to the speaker , the style , and the world of the story to fully grasp them . in general avoid music with lyrics in it while youre reading . try to read in blocks , setting aside at least 30 minutes . it is very hard to keep track of things if youre constantly picking the book up and down . remove yourself from outside distractions , like a tv or lots of human activity . while some of this may seem obvious , taking five minutes to answer the following questions will give you a great foundation to keep reading . these are the essential parts of the novel , and you need to grasp them before moving on to more difficult discussions what does the main characters want who is telling the story where and when is the story set be specific . if youre struggling to get the basics , there is no harm in picking up a study guide or reading a plot summary on wikipedia . this can help you grasp the basic concepts quickly and start looking for nuance . novels are fictional , meaning that , except perhaps in the foreword , the narrator is also fictitious . is the narrator a part of the story , or are they separate from it do they know everything , or just what certain characters know most importantly , can you trust the narrator one of the biggest struggles for many readers is that they trust the narrator too much . then , when they contradict themselves or make a mistake , it feels like the author made a mistake or that you dont understand the book . however , unreliable narrators are great clues into the meanings of a book - - after all , no real human could ever be a perfect narrator . in general , you should be cautious of any narrator who seems drunk , high , or otherwise drugged a clockwork orange . is mentally or socially impaired the sound and the fury , curious incident of the dog at nighttime . has reasons to lie , often because of a crime or wrongdoing lolita . why is a novel being told the way it is is it written in letters , or journal entries , or normal narration does the author use big , intimidating words or straightforward , concise sentences if youre confused , think for a moment about how the story is being told - - it often tells you something about what is being told . do you have distance between the events does the narrator seem to know what is going to happen , or are you along for the ride together take a moment to stop and reflect on the events in each chapter . what , exactly , changed from the beginning of the section to the end have characters grown has the plot thickened are you back where you started eventually , after youve finished 4 - 5 chapters , youll notice that these little summaries form an outline of the novel . try and mark how characters change . once you know how a character has changed throughout a chapter you can start to figure out why theyve changed . if it is not already , try and order the plot chronologically . stories that are presented out of order , like the iliad or absalom absalom are often difficult because they are jumbled up , not because the actual plot is complicated . it is impossible to digest all of the complex thoughts , themes , and symbols in a novel all by yourself , especially if youre reading it once . books should be shared and discussed , so try and convince someone else to read the book along with you . have discussions at certain points in the book , then talk about it when youve both finished . between the two or three , or more of you , this is often the best way to break down a complex novel without re - reading it . novels are carefully constructed , and by noting the similarities between characters , chapters , and settings you can get a clue into the overall structure of the book . just as important are moments that should be similar , but have changed for some reason , such as a character coming back home after a long time away . what things keep popping up in the book why do you think theyre important in the orphan masters son , the idea of movies , actors , and hollywood shows up repeatedly in the protagonists early life . this is crucial , but not until the last third of the book . in the great gatsby , there is repeated mention of a blinking light off the coast , and blinking lights reappear several other times . all of these moments are linked by longing for something the characters cannot have . to truly understand and appreciate a novel , you need to consider the entire thing . moments that fell flat or didnt make sense early on might gain new meaning by the end of the book . sometimes , the last few pages can complete turn the meaning , plot , or theme of the book around , like in fight club or atonement . once youve finished a book , skim over your notes or the first chapter again - - do you get a new appreciation for the book what would you call the theme of the book what , ultimately , is the book about ultimately , once a book is published , it is up for a reader to make their own meaning out of it . to get the most out of the book andor your papers , you need to inject your own personality into the reading . do you agree with the themes do you think the author effectively made you sympathize with the characters , or did you hate them . you can have any opinion you want , but you need to back it up with evidence from the book . quotes , summaries , and your notes will form the basis of your case . whether arguing with a friend or writing a term paper , you should always turn to novel for evidence . |
find a comfortable place to read your paper . decide your reading purpose . decide where you want to begin . fold your paper so that you can read easily and comfortably . preview the section youve chosen to read . choose the article that you want to read and begin . determine your own opinion and note your own biases . connect your reading to your own life and other news sources . decide how much of the newspaper you want to read . skim the headlines and pictures on all of the pages , one at a time . start on the first page . read the first paragraphs of the articles . read every article in a section . set aside each section as you complete it . choose a local newspaper if you want more community engagement . choose a national newspaper if you want wider coverage of national issues . choose an international or foreign paper to discover new perspectives . decide if you want to read a physical newspaper or an online version . choose a newspaper that presents the news honestly and the opinions separately . | how to read a newspaper | coffee shops , outdoor seating at restaurants , or your own easy chair are great places to settle in and enjoy reading your chosen paper . if you take the train to work , you can also read it there , on your way . if youre reading relaxation or pleasure , then youre approach might be less structured . if youre looking for a specific topic or for reading practice , youll need to be more organized . most english - language newspapers are written at range of reading levels , from about fifth grade to college level , so you should focus on the articles and sections that will probably fit your purpose . for example , the film reviews will be easier , and faster , reading , while reports on complicated economic topics might be more challenging and take more time . reading a paper to practice a foreign language will help you learn about the issues that are important to speakers of that language and as well as to engage in the culture and learn new vocabulary . after youve gotten a sense of the overall paper , choose the section or article that has caught your attention , based on your reading purpose . you might choose a headline article on the front page , or you might skip to another section and begin reading sports . use the table of contents as your guide . the editorial section contains opinionated articles rather than strictly factual news , such as the opinion section in the detroit free press , which may offer editorial perspectives on universal healthcare or the war on terror . the lifestyle section usually has stories about the arts and commerce . forbes , for example , may have articles about new movies , popular car models , and travel ideas . the entertainment section includes movie and theater reviews , as well as interviews with authors and artists and information about art galleries and other local and national events . similarly , the sports section will report box scores from sports currently in season , and may include personal stories about players , coaches , or issues in the athletic world , such as the concussion problem in the nfl . if youre in a crowded space , like a train , fold your newspapers into quadrants for easier reading and less worry about bothering other people . you might find it easier to separate the various sections , usually marked by a letter , and deal with them one at a time , rather than trying to keep all of the pages in order . folding a newspaper correctly is optional , although if youre passing it on to another person , its courteous to put all of the sections back in place when youre done . newspaper articles are usually written in an inverted pyramid structure , which means that the most significant information appears at the start of the story , rather than the end , followed by the details in order of importance . the first sentence , called the lead or lede , is designed to catch readers attention and provide the major details of the story to entice them to read further . sidebars near significant stories offer analysis for understanding the why of the story . read them first to have some context for the ideas . you can also read the articles subheadings or callout quotes , if available , for an overview of major topics and notable comments in the story . read the first few paragraphs , as these will contain the primary points of the article , and youll be able to determine if you want to continue reading it . read the rest of the article or move to a new one if youve lost interest or if it doesnt provide any information that you find worthwhile . dont be afraid to jump to a new article or section if your purpose is satisfied or if you need a break from a difficult topic . for example , you may find reading too much about domestic violence is too distressing for a relaxing read , so you can decide to save an article about an upcoming domestic violence court case for later . once youve finished with a section , you can set it aside as you find a new place to begin previewing and reading . by the time youve read all or most of the sections , you should feel a sense of satisfaction as you collect that new pile of papers for recycling or reuse . when youre reading the editorial section , or the op - ed opposite the editorial page , remember that youre reading the opinions of those writers , and not necessarily straight facts . before you begin , you should read the article title to get an idea of the topic , and then take a moment to consider your own opinion first . even though the news section is strictly informational , being aware of your own opinions and biases before reading those articles will help you to be more open minded about difficult topics . try reading opinion pieces that are in opposition to your own views . even if you dont agree , you might learn something new , whether its a different way to defend your opinion , or a new perspective on the issue altogether . even if youre reading to relax , taking a moment to see the relationship between the articles youre reading and your own experiences or concerns can lead to a more enjoyable experience . ask yourself can i connect the ideas or events that im reading about to my own life and the other stories ive read about this topicmaking connections between your tv news and internet video clips and a printed newspaper will help you to become even more informed about the topic and engaged as a citizen . sometimes , you may want to read a particularly long newspaper , like the sunday edition , or you may have a requirement for a course in school . if you have limited time but you want to read the whole paper , your strategy will be different than if you need to read specific sections for an assignment . if you need or want to read the entire paper , but have only a small window of time , plan to use previewing and skimming strategies . if you have an assignment or a particular topic youre interested in reading about , then youll be focused on the finding only the appropriate articles quickly and reading them carefully . the front page section is the most valuable real estate in the paper , and the editors reserve it for the biggest or most popular stories . reading the headlines will give you an idea of the most important happenings , either locally , nationally , or internationally , and the images are chosen to establish the central or most interesting idea in a given story . this overview should take about three minutes , and youll have a better idea of where you want to start . the most important story , by long newspaper tradition , should appear at the top right of the front page . the second - most important story will appear at the top left . also , editors use larger type for bigger stories . checking the table of contents , if youre looking for a particular topic , section , or article , will save you time , since you wont have to search the newspaper blindly . some newspapers include mini - headlines at the very top of the page to catch readers attention for stories in interior sections of the paper , such as sports or entertainment . each time you begin a new article , read just the first paragraph or two . newspaper articles always start with a lede or lead , which contains the most important information . the rest of the article fills out the story with details , in order of importance . if youre reading efficiently , the first paragraph should give you enough information for a general understanding of the topic . if something in an article catches your attention , keep reading , but be ready to move on if your curiosity is satisfied . if youre reading for an assignment , use the lede to help you set up your summary notes , as its the main idea of the passage . articles should answer the questions who what where how , so use those questions to structure your notes , if necessary . if an article in full contains a jump line , or instructions to continue the story on another page , complete that story on the new page , and then return to the original section to continue reading . avoid starting on the new page and possibly wasting time later trying to remember which articles youd forgotten to read in earlier sections . you can also simply skim all of the articles , especially if youre in a hurry but want to get a snapshot of the main ideas . if youre reading for an assignment , or if you have a particular subject of interest , you can also scan all of the articles for key words of your topic . you can then read just those articles more carefully . if you have space and want the encouragement that youre reading at a good pace , setting the completed sections aside will provide you with a tangible reminder of your accomplishments . local newspapers , both dailies and weeklies , can connect you to your communitys residents , politics , and happenings , and will be written by local writers with a vested interest in your area . these papers tend to have more reporter - initiated stories rather than mostly stories based on national news , which means theyre more proactive and less reactive in nature . some local news are daily , while others are weekly or bi - weekly . weekly newspapers will be even more community - centered , since they have more time to fully develop and research local stories . local newspapers will employ not only writers from your community , but they will also use community members as sources , and so you may find the stories even more relevant to your own life . national news outlets , such as usa today or the guardian , will include stories with wider appeal , but many of the stories will be wire - service pieces , such as those from the reuters or the associate press ap . theyll include information on national weather trends and major political stories , and theyre more likely to have a significant online presence . some very large metro - area newspapers , such as the la times or the chicago tribune , can be a good blend of local news stories and significant national coverage . national news outlets may offer more perspectives on many issues , as their staff writers might be located throughout the country , rather than in a single city . international newspaper outlets can provide you with a new look at familiar issues or a chance to learn about a different culture . the newspapers of each country or region present their stories from the viewpoint of its culture , highlighting the values and positive attributes of that area of the world . if you read critically , you can pay attention to that bias , as well as your own , and gain a new understanding of the truth of a story . some bias exists in popular newspapers , such as russia today and the australian associated press , reporting on war and conflicts , primarily through either overreporting or underreporting of violence . other issues arise from oversimplification of complicated national and international issues . if you want the top stories , with up - to - the minute information and links to other perspectives on the same issues , try a digital newspaper edition . for possibly more in - depth coverage , including more editorializing or responses from other readers such as letters to the editor , go for print . not all local papers will have comparable online coverage . for instance , the community impact news in texas , includes only some stories on their website , though they have enormous local print circulation . some newspapers , particularly national and international papers , will charge a subscription fee for online access . for example , the new york times charges from 1 . 88 - 8 . 75 a week for a subscription , depending on your level of access . some online news sites , even those with print editions , may use inadequate research and intentionally misleading tactics to encourage traffic to their sites . newspapers are a mix of factual news and opinionated editorials . a news reporter should offer as many validated and researched facts as available , and an editorial should be clearly marked in a particular section of the paper . check for credible sources and inappropriate stereotypes in headlines and stories . ask yourself who is telling the story if a story about the economy focuses on stockbrokers instead of the everyday people affected by a recession , the newspaper may not only be biased , but also out of touch with its readers . find out more about the editorial staff and writers . do they represent the diversity of the community that they serve if not , then the stories may show further evidence of bias , particularly on coverage of news on parts of the community not represented at the paper . |
take notes , especially of passages you like or find confusing . apply common literary terms to your analysis . examine the style of the book , and find relationships to other books . find the common bonds between function and form . consult outside sources , from non - fiction research to critical essays . | how to read a novel 2 | it is absolutely essential to take good notes when reading a novel for class . it is doubly important if you need to write an essay on the book later . you should highlight or underline important passages , and provide a brief note to the side reminding you why it is important symbolism , character shift , repeated metaphor , etc . on paper , you should note bigger moments and shifts - - keeping track of character changes , overarching themes , and passages or moments you dont quite understand yet . take notes during class discussion , marking important pages and quotes that you may have missed . you can go overboard with notes . you want your notes to be a guideline for your writing when you finish the book . if the whole book is underlined you wont get a lot of useful information . knowing literary vocabulary is the best way to get your point across when writing or talking about a book . it also helps you understand the novel as youre reading , giving a name to the myriad techniques and moments that you encounter so that you can take better notes . theme the overarching ideas , morals , or thoughts of the novel . can be as simple as good beats evil and as complex as capitalism is destroying the modern family . metaphor making two dissimilar things seem similar . she is a rose doesnt literally mean the woman is a flower , it means she is beautiful , delicate , and a little barbed . a simile is when the metaphor uses the words like or as , ie . she is like a rose she is pretty as a rose . motif a repeated idea , image , or flavor in a book . if a book frequently uses sailing and ocean metaphors , for example , it could be said to have a nautical motif . allusion a reference to another work , either directly or indirectly . for example , any character that dies and is raised from the dead a tale of two cities , harry potter , is frequently considered a biblical allusion to jesus christ . symbolism when an object in the book stands for the idea of something else . symbolism is everywhere , sometimes unintentionally , because humans think in terms of symbols . for example , in of mice and men , the rabbit farm comes to symbolize lennys dreams of financial security and safety . a symbol comes to represent a much larger idea than it initially appears . how exactly is the story told is there humor , or is it mostly serious are the sentences long and difficult or short and speedy you need to move past the basics of what happened and onto why it happened . do you think the author was influenced by other writers , artists , or current events if so , how do they use fiction to really explore those influences there are no right answers to these questions , but you need to ask them to get the most out of the novel . you cannot only worry about plot when reading , as plot is just one of the many pieces that make up a novel . some teachers encourage reading summaries before starting the book . this helps you pay more attention to characters , themes , and structure , since you know how the plot ends up . novels work on two levels . the first level is function , and it concerns what the novel is trying to say plot , theme , setting , etc . the second part , form , is how it is being said perspective , structure , metaphor , etc . while good readers will note each side , excellent readers will note how the two of them come together . how does form reinforce function david foster wallaces infinite jest is all about the nature of entertainment , debating in part if one must work for entertainment . accordingly , half the novel is written in footnotes , making the reader work by flipping back and forth , even within sentences and other footnotes . even less serious books must merge form and function to be successful . dracula , tells its horrible story as a series of letters and first - hand documents instead of a narrator . this allows bram stoker to slowly ratchet up the horror and gives the reader a sense that this really happened somewhere in england . as long as you cite the findings of other authors , one of the best ways to expand your knowledge of a book is to read into the world around it . you could research historical background information , or the authors own life and inspiration . you could read critical essays , which are common for classic books and can help make sense of complex novels . when writing longer papers , reading the thoughts of other writers is a great way to form your arguments early on . do you agree , and have other evidence to offer do you disagree , and can you use the book to prove them wrong always cite any outside sources youve read and expand on them with your personal opinions . use these sources as a jumping off point , not your only argument . |
obtain the book . smuggle it into your house . find a good hiding place . read the book . return the book . if you didnt check out the book to begin with , return it exactly where you left it . return to normal life . | how to read a forbidden book | the library is excellent for this . try to go to a library where you arent well known . dont bring attention to yourself with your clothing or actions . avoid leaving a trail for investigators . for instance , do not ask librarians where to find the book or search for it in the card catalogue . if youre serious about stealth , dont even check out the book . just read it at the library . another way , would be to obtain a digital copy of the book by searching it online in google and then buying an e - book version of it . reading on your laptop or tablet helps to read in privacy too . hide it under your coat , in your pocket , or in a bag . take it into a secure location where you know you will not be found or seen . avoid the obvious , like underneath your pillow or in your hands . sometimes burying it underneath clothing is effective if your dresser is never touched by others . if you share a room , make sure your roommate will not go through your stuff . do it alone whenever possible . read it in the bathroom , but remember not to stay locked in for too long . read it outside , in empty parks or hiking trails . make sure you always have an alibi . drop it off as quietly and casually as possible . act like its an ordinary book . place it face down on the counter , preferably underneath other books . turn the spine away from others . you may want to stick around for a few minutes instead of suspiciously dashing away . make sure no one else is in sight when you do this . never quote the book or act knowledgeable about anything pertaining to it . this is often the hardest step because you will want to talk about your adventure . if you must talk about it , choose someone you trust or do it anonymously . |
decide if youre ready to tackle it alone . make sure you have recently read a picture book . dive in . avoid getting frustrated . take your time . | how to read a chapter book for children | first off , when you read picture books , do you usually read with an adult , or by yourself to read a chapter book , you must be able to know simple words and read simple , short picture books by yourself . chapter books may have a few words you do not know , but stick with it , because you are soon going to grow out of eight page picture books . you can use that short story as your warm up before stepping into a bigger book . once you have read that picture book , go ask your mom or dad or guardian to bring you to a library and get a chapter book that catches your interest , or your funny bone , or search for a nice , interesting chapter book where you are , if there are books in the place you are . okay , so , once you have a chapter book , open the book to the first chapter , and try the first page , and if you need to stop , or take a break , that is fine . remember , dont get frustrated over one word , or one sentence you dont understand . it will be okay . if you need help , ask someone around you . dont finish the book all in one period of time . that is rushing , and you will skip over words . chapters books arent meant to be read in such a small space of time , so go slowly with it . |
be clear why you are using a quotation . work them into your text so they read like normal sentences . use brackets and ellipses to add or subtract words . | how to quote a book 1 | a quotation should provide a new point of view , or bolster a point you are trying to make . elaborate on the quoted text , provide context , and explain why it supports your argument . quotations are often used to support ideas that might be disputed or are not common knowledge . an idea like , most people never live to see 100 , doesnt need to be backed up by a quotation , but something like , many writers have described the power of fiction , should probably be supported with quotations . one can sometimes emphasize a particular point by backing it up with a quotation from a particularly impressive author . quotations can also add stylistic flare to your prose . for example , a sentence like , when shakespeare shuffled off this mortal coil , he likely had no idea the impact his work would make on western culture is a bit more interesting than if the same sentence started simply , when shakespeare died… to do this , you will usually use a signal phrase like , according to the author , or something to that effect . thus , nick caraway describes humans as , boats against the current , works , while nick caraway has a sad view of people , boats against the current , does not . if you are having trouble deciding if youve incorporated a quotation correctly , try reading it aloud to yourself . it can be easier to tell if a sentence works when you speak it . some examples of verbs used in signal phrases are claims , adds , writes , argues , asserts , confirms , points out , admits , concludes , observes , and implies . sometimes a quotation will support your argument perfectly , but be impossible to work into your text without making changes . in such cases , you will need to use brackets or ellipses . insert new words into quotations by putting them inside brackets . remove existing words by replacing them with an ellipsis . note that this is only appropriate if you maintain the basic meaning of the quotation . it should not be used to twist an authors words into something other than what she intended . as an example , one could change the nabokov quotation , …art - - not an escape which is only a cleaner cell on a quieter floor , but relief from the itch of being , into the sentence , …art not an escape…but relief from the itch of being . |
insert short quotations into the body of the paragraph . make long quotations into freestanding blocks of text . include an in - text citation after the quotation . make a works cited page . put the full citation in your works cited page . | how to quote a book 2 | a quotation shorter than four lines of prose or three lines of verse does not need to be its own freestanding block of text . it can simply be incorporated into the paragraph in which you are using it . it should begin and end with double quotation marks . when quoting an excerpt longer than four lines of prose or three lines of verse , start by writing a signal phrase introducing the quotation , as you would with a shorter one . begin the quotation on a new line below this . indent the whole quotation one inch from the left . double - space it in an mla style research paper , everything should be double spaced . do not use quotation marks . the authors last name and the page on which the quotation can be found should be included in parenthesis at the end of the quotation , before the next punctuation mark . this is called a parenthetical citation , and will help your reader locate the full citation in your bibliography or works cited page . for example maybe the best definition of art is simply beauty plus pity nabokov 251 . if you reference the authors name before the quotation , you dont need to repeat it in the parenthesis following the quote . for example nabokov defined art as beauty plus pity 251 . this should begin on a separate page at the end of your research paper or essay . label it works cited , in centered , non - italic text without the quotation marks at the top of the page . double - space the page , but do not skip spaces between citations . do not indent the first line of each citation , but indent all subsequent lines by 0 . 5 inches from the left . order your citations alphabetically by the authors last names . the basic format of an mla style book citation is lastname , firstname . title of book . city of publication publisher , year of publication . medium of publication . there are many variations on this basic format based on factors like how many authors the book has , and whether it is something like anthology , an ebook , or a self - published book . if the book you are quoting does not fit neatly into this formula , consult a resource like the purdue online writing lab . |
insert short quotations into the body of the paragraph . make long quotations into freestanding blocks of text . use a parenthetical citation . make a reference list . put the full citation in your reference list . | how to quote a book 3 | a quotation shorter than forty words does not need to be its own freestanding block of text . it can simply be incorporated into the paragraph in which you are using it . it should begin and end with double quotation marks . when quoting an excerpt longer than forty words , start by writing a signal phrase introducing the quotation , as you would with a shorter one . begin the quotation on a new line below this . indent the whole quotation 12 inch from the left . double - space it in an apa style paper , everything should be double spaced . do not use quotation marks . you need to cite the author , year of publication , and page number preceded by p . the best way to do this is to use a signal phrase with the authors name in it , followed by the date of publication and the page number in parenthesis . for example smith 2011 insists that , quoting books is not difficult , but it can take time to get the hang of p . 15 . if the authors name is not included in the signal phrase , include the authors last name , the year of publication , and the page number all separated by commas in the parenthetical citation following the quotation . for example he insists that quoting books is not difficult , but it can take time to get the hang of smith , 2011 , p . 15 . this should begin on a separate page at the end of your research paper or essay . label it references , in centered text it should not be bold , italicized , underlined , or in quotation marks at the top of the page . double - space the page , like the rest of the paper , but do not skip spaces between citations . do not indent the first line of each citation , but indent all subsequent lines by 0 . 5 inches from the left . order your citations alphabetically by the authors last names . the basic format of an apa style book citation is author , a . a . year of publication . title of work . location publisher . there are many variations on this basic format based on factors like how many authors the book has , and whether it is something like anthology , an ebook , or a self - published book . if the book you are quoting does not fit neatly into this formula , consult a resource like the purdue online writing lab . |
keep the letter to one page . include your contact information in the upper left corner . write the full date below your contact information . state the name and address of the receiver . address the receiver by name . write an introduction . highlight your skills in one to three body paragraphs . briefly conclude your letter . close the letter formally . | how to make a cover page 1 | a cover page for a resume should be formatted as a professional letter , and the cover should only be one page in length . the document should be single - spaced , but a blank line should separate each paragraph of the letter . you should usually use standard 1 - inch 2 . 5 - cm margins , but you can use margins as small as 0 . 7 inch 1 . 8 cm as long as they are the same on all sides . the entire document should also be aligned to the left side of the page . include your full name , address , phone number , and e - mail address . each of these components should be placed on a separate line . if you have a fax number , you should include it below your phone number and above your e - mail address . the purpose of including a phone number , fax number , and e - mail address is to make it easy for potential employers to contact you . write the date in month , day , year format if you are in the united states . most other western countries use a day , month , year format , while china and japan use year , month , day . write out the full name of the month , rather than abbreviating by using a number . for example , rather than write 112001 , you should write january 1 , 2001 . leave a blank line above and below the date . name the specific contact you are sending your resume to , along with his or her title and the address of the company . the receivers name and title should be listed on the same line and separated by a comma . the name of the company should be written below the name of your contact , and the address of the company should be placed below that . note that you do not need to include an e - mail address , phone number , or fax number for the company . if you do not know the name of a specific contact at the company , skip over that information . formally address the reader with the word dear . you should address your letter to a specific person whenever possible . when you are unable to find a specific name , though , you can address the letter to dear hiring manager , dear hiring professionals , or dear selection committee . when you can determine the gender of the receiver , leave out his or her first name and address the receiver as mr . or ms . for example , dear ms . smith or dear mr . johnson . if you do not know the gender of the receiver , skip the title and use his or her full name . for example , dear pat roberts . leave a blank line before and after you address the receiver . the introduction should be brief and include your most basic , essential information . if you have had any previous contact with your reader or with the company , state that contact in your introduction . if you are a student , state the university you attend and your major . indicate what position you are applying for as well as how or where you heard about the position . you can also mention the name of a professional or academic contact you know who has a positive connection to the reader or company . use the body of your letter to explain how you are qualified for the position and why you would be a good addition to the company . make sure to include a few specific examples that prove your point . review the job ad and note any specific qualities requested by the employer . touch on these qualities in your body paragraph . list any special projects , awards , or accomplishments that have a clear connection to the skill set requested by the employer . write a short concluding paragraph that expresses your eagerness about the position . you can also request an interview or state that you intend to contact the reader in several weeks . you can include your phone number and e - mail address , as well , but it is not entirely necessary since this information is included in your header . type a polite closing like thank you or sincerely , then include your full typed name four lines below your closing . sign your name by hand in between the closing and your typed name . always use black ink to sign formal documents . |
provide your name and address in the header . format the cover sheet in two columns . list the date , receivers name , senders name , and senders phone number in the left column . list the time , both fax numbers , and your e - mail address in the right column . indicate the number of pages . include a brief message . write a disclaimer , if necessary . | how to make a cover page 2 | use a formal letterhead if you have one . otherwise , type your full name and the address of your company or institution at the center top of your cover page . include your phone number and your fax number beneath your name and address . leave at least two blank lines below this header and the rest of the document . the contact information for both you and the receiver should be indicated toward the top of the page . these columns should be double - spaced . its a good idea to save your document as a template for future fax use , since the general format will remain the same . the most important quality to your fax cover sheet is that it be clear and easy to read . each piece of information should be labeled , and each label should be in all capital letters and followed by a colon . label the date with date , the receivers name with to , your name with from , and your phone number with phone . in the united states , the date will be written in month , day , year , while in most other countries , it will be written day , month , year . each piece of information should be labeled , and each label should be in all capital letters and followed by a colon . label the time with time , the receivers fax number with fax , your fax number with fax , and your e - mail address with email . note that the receivers name and fax number should be placed on the same horizontal line . likewise , your name and fax number should be placed on a shared horizontal line of their own . directly below the information in your left column , state the number of pages contained in the fax . introduce this information with something like , number of pages including cover sheet note that this line does not need to be in all capital letters . the message does not need to be more than a few lines . clearly state the sort of document being faxed and why you are faxing it to the receiver . if you had previous contact with the receiver concerning this fax , state that information . introduce your message with the label message below your message , ask the receiver to verify the receipt of the document by calling the phone number provided or using the e - mail address provided . if the information is confidential , clearly state that it is for the use of the intended receiver only and that use by another receiver is strictly prohibited . include the request that you be contacted should the full fax not be received , or if the fax has been received accidentally , i . e . you sent it to the wrong fax number . specific privacy guidelines for transmission of protected confidential information may vary . if you work for a health provider , you may need to follow additional guidelines to protect the privacy of your client . |
include your contact information . list the word count . include the title of your manuscript . finish with the name of the author . | how to make a cover page 3 | type your full name , address , phone number , and e - mail address in the upper left corner of the cover page . while you may choose to include the title of your manuscript on the cover page , this is a separate document from the title page . use your real name . if you are submitting the manuscript under a pen name , you can follow your real name with your pen name . introduce a pen name with a . k . a . or pen name john doe . if youre submitting your work to a context that will be judged anonymously , youll include your contact information on the cover page , while omitting your name and contact information from the title page . your approximate word count should be placed in the upper right corner . if you are submitting to a context which has a strict word count , make sure you are following the guidelines , or your work will be automatically disqualified . you do not need to use an exact word count . for instance , if your manuscript is 63 , 472 words , round it off to 63 , 000 or 63 , 500 . introduce the word count with approximately words . in the middle of the page , center the full title of your manuscript . your title should never be longer than than one line . typing the title in all capital letters is a fairly common practice , but it is not necessary . its not necessary to underline , italicize , or bold the title . on the line below your title , list the name you want to publish under . this can be your real name or a pen name . you dont have to include any indication of copyright protection , as your work is automatically protected . never bind or connect the pages of your manuscript in any way . your cover letter , like the other pages of your manuscript , should be unbound and placed in an envelope or box . |
use a standard font and margin . place a running head in the upper left corner . include the page number in the upper right corner . center the title . include your name below the title . include the name of your institution . | how to make a cover page 4 | unless otherwise specified by your instructor , your cover page should be in 12 - point times new roman . you should use a standard 1 - inch 2 . 5 - cm margin on all sides of the title page . your cover page should be double - spaced . a running head is a header that will be found on each page of your paper . your running head should include an abbreviated form of the title . introduce the running head with the words running head . follow this label with a colon . the running head itself should be in all capital letters . the running head should be no longer than 50 characters , including spaces and punctuation . since this is the first page of your essay , the page number will be 1 . the page number and running head should be evenly aligned horizontally . use standard numerals , not roman numerals or written numbers . the title should be placed roughly one - third of the way down from the top of the page . generally , this would place the title about 2 inches below the header line . capitalize the first letter of all major words but not for minor words . for example how to make a cover page do not italicize , bold , or underline the title . on the line directly below the title , include your first name , middle initial , and last name . if other students were involved in your study or essay , their names must be listed , as well . separate each name with a comma . the line directly below your name should state the institution you are associated with . the first letter of each major word should be capitalized . for example , if you are submitting the paper for a class taken at the university of north carolina at asheville , you should include this in the line beneath the authors name i . e . your name , and the names of your co - authors . check with your professor for any additional guidelines . |
use a standard font and standard margins . center the title . write your full name . list the receiver of your paper . | how to make a cover page 5 | use 12 - point times new roman font and 1 - inch 2 . 5 - cm margins on all sides . note that the entire page should be center aligned . be aware that cover pages are not standard in mla format , but some professors do request them . the title should be placed roughly one - third of the way down from the top of the page . if you have a subtitle , include it below the title . the first letter of each major word should be capitalized , but minor words should be left in lowercase . for example how to make a cover page do not bold , italicize , or underline either the title or the subtitle . skip several lines below the title , and make sure to include both your first and your last name . if other people collaborated with you on this paper , include their names as well . your name should be written using the same font and size as the other words on your title page . dont try to use a cute or clever font for any part of your cover page , as professors dont care for this . beneath your name , write the name of your instructor , name of the class , and date . each of these elements should be listed on a separate line . make sure each line is double - spaced . introduce your instructor as dr . when appropriate . if you cannot use this title to address your instructor , at least introduce him or her as professor . for example , dr . john doe or professor john doe . include both the course name and number . |
choose a reasonably sized book . pick a high - interest book . read because you have to . make a routine . start reading . use all your free time . skim if needed . stick to it . avoid falling behind . limit distractions . dont read when sleepy . avoid going into it without practice . | how to read a book in a week | once you have an idea of how many hours per week will be required to complete your book , youll be more likely to choose a book that can be reasonably read within a week . dont choose a short story that can be read in 30 minutes likewise dont read an 800 page book that will take 13 - 14 hours to complete if you dont have the time nor patience . timing is especially relevant when you have a deadline such as an assignment for school . also consider your history with reading . if you are used to reading only one 400 page book per month , try to choose a book that is a fraction of that size , like 150 - 200 pages . this allows your goal to be realistic while still challenging . if you have a choice , pick a book that will really pique your interest instead of choosing a boring book that will only make you want to stop reading . try one from your favorite author , read a review online , choose based on recommendations from others , or choose based on your personal interest in subjects . many people read a variety of subjects as a means to get better at being a human and being a life - long learner . try keeping a reading list of books that you want to read . whenever you come across a book that interests you , update your list so you always have something interesting from which to choose . there are many times people are unable to choose their reading material because it has been assigned to them for school , work , or other projects . even if you find yourself hating the material , set a plan in motion to keep reading . keep in mind that even if you dont like something , you can always learn from it , which is usually the goal . not only will it be preparing you for an immediate gain like a good grade on a test , but it will also provide you with knowledge of a person or topic of which you were previously unaware . even if you feel the text doesnt keep your attention , you can always focus on what worked or didnt work , what the author did well and what they didnt . not only will this show a deep analysis of the text , but it will also help you in determining what books you prefer to read . commit to your goal . if you are forced to read an assigned book within a weeks time , prepare yourself by truly committing to the goal . always remind yourself of what depends on your completion of the book a grade , a report , a presentation , etc . this is especially helpful if you have an assignment due date or if you consider yourself a weak - willed individual . having a routine in place will help you to stick with reading and help you reach your goal . learning your reading speed will help you determine how many hours it will take you to complete the book . learn how fast you read . determining how many words per minute wpm you are able to read will help you to determine what size book to choose as well as how much time per day should be spent reading . time required can fluctuate based on the difficulty of the text , but having an idea of how long it will take will give you a measurable goal to work with . choose the right time of day to read . you should always choose the time of day when you have the most energy so youll be more focused and more prepared to learn . try treating it like an appointment and schedule time with yourself each day to read . wake up , take a shower , and read while eating breakfast or stop at your favorite coffee shop on the way to work and spend 30 minutes reading while enjoying your coffee . by putting everything in its proper place , youll be more likely to stick to your assigned task the more you read , the more you will enjoy reading . try to sit alone and read for at least 10 minutes before taking a break . before you know it , those 10 minutes will have passed and youll be hooked . the more you learn to read for pleasure , the easier it becomes . keep in mind the number of pages or chapters you need to read daily to meet your goal . after your goal of 10 minutes , aim for reading one to two chapters . by then , your interest will have been piqued and youll want to continue reading without checking the time . aside from your scheduled time , use your free time to read a few extra pages or chapters . instead of checking facebook or playing games on your phone , use the extra 5 - 10 minutes to catch up on your reading . depending on how often you read , you can add an extra 30 minutes to 1 hour each day . this equates to an increase of about 5 hours per week . carry your book anywhere you go so you will always be prepared to read . use your phone or an electronic reading device such as a kindle to always have a book at your fingertips . if youre on a deadline , remove distracting apps from your phone for the week . even if youre only able to read ahead a few pages , youll still be ahead of your goal which can boost your confidence and give you a rewarding feeling . if you are falling behind in your reading and have a deadline to meet , feel free to skim over a few pages . read the first few pages of the chapter and look for the main idea of the chapter and how it fits into the flow of the book . look for any important plot points or new characters that will be helpful in later chapters . skim headings and subheading to search for organization and main ideas . read the first and last sentence of each paragraph . if you are able to abstract the meaning , move on otherwise , it may be necessary to read the entire paragraph . no matter what happens , dont stop reading . if your deadline is approaching and you feel like you wont reach your goal , continue pushing and read as much as you can . if you dont have a deadline , continue your routine and determine how long it actually takes you to finish reading the book . this will help you in being able to realistically set future reading goals . once you fall behind in your reading it is hard to catch up . try not to owe yourself one or think that youll double up on time later . this can cause people to feel overwhelmed and helpless , and can cause people to give up instead of pushing forward . try sticking to a schedule and routine to avoid falling behind . if you do fall behind , make a realistic plan about how to get back on track . give up television for one evening or take your book to the gym to make up time . be sure to control your emotions if you find yourself behind in your goal . keep from feeling overwhelmed and hopeless by putting a realistic plan into action . the best way to avoid this feeling is to stay ahead of your reading at all times . get rid of any outside source that has the potential to steal your attention away from your book . turn off your laptop , close yourself in your bedroom , turn off the television , and leave your phone on the charger . make this time an important priority over everything else . if you read while tired , youll either fall asleep within a few pages or you wont retain any important information . instead of reading at the end of the day when youre drained , try reading as early in the day as possible when your mind is still fresh and fully functioning . being comfortable is a major part of reading but being comfortable and tired is usually a recipe for disaster . avoid reading in bed unless it has become habit or part of your winding down routine for bedtime . attempting to read a book in a week without previous practice can be a difficult task . by reading and sharpening your learning skills , you are able to practice your meta - skills and become more proficient in learning , reading , remembering and thinking . if possible , try to increase your reading skills before setting your goal to read a book in a week . this practice can be equated to cutting wood . if you have wood to cut you must first sharpen your saw when cutting the first log , not the last . you can build your skills by reading more not just books , reading often , or trying a speed reading program . |
choose a book . acquire the book you want to read . read your book . pace yourself . skim the table of contents and index . jump around . read interactively . take notes . read by chapter . keep up . | how to read a book | if youre reading for your own enjoyment , youll probably want to pick a general interest fiction or nonfiction book . there are literally millions of such books , so finding one thats right for you can be challenging . a good place to start is by thinking about what you like , and also about what you dont like . keep in mind how many different types of books are out there . there are dystopian books like the hunger games by suzanne collins . there are realistic fiction books such as perfect by natasha friend . there are fantasy books like the land of stories by chris colfer . there are historical fiction books like dragonwings by laurence . yep , and so many others . knowing your personal taste can really help you find a book youll find enjoyable . just because someone else says a book is good doesnt mean youll necessarily enjoy it . some people enjoy fantasy novels , other people hate them . think about what kind of an experience you want to have while reading . do you want a rousing adventure tale a cerebral exploration of ideas an emotional journey through the lives of believable characters how long of a book do you want to read how challenging do you want it to be are there certain perspectives you want your book to embrace or avoid answering these questions will narrow down the field of possible books . nonfiction books can be a little easier to narrow down than fiction ones . most popular nonfiction books are histories or biographies of famous people . is there a famous person youd like to know more about do you want to know more about a country , a landmark , a war , a historical event do you want to know more about oceans , or dinosaurs , or pirates , or stage magic pretty much anything you can think of has had a nonfiction book written about it . just because you find a nonfiction book about something that interests you doesnt necessarily mean youll like the book . some books are well written and interesting , others are poorly written and boring . if you find a nonfiction book about something you like , read the first couple of pages first to see if you like the writers style . if you find the book difficult or boring on the first page , it probably wont get any better as you read through . go to the library . your local library is a good place to browse books , since if you see one that interests you , you wont even have to pay anything to read it . tell the librarian what youre interested in , and ask him or her to point you to one or two areas of the library where you might find interesting books related to your interests . dont judge the book by its cover . the title and cover illustrations may seem boring or not your taste , but inside the book could be a whole world of pleasure and enjoyment that you will be enthralled by . this , however , is not always the case , so make sure you pick wisely also , look at the thickness of the book . if a quick read is what youre looking for , a big , heavy book wouldnt be suitable , and vice versa . lastly , if you are buying the book for someone other than yourself , think about their age and interests , if you are purchasing for a child , young adult books such as fifty shades of grey may not be the ideal choice . ask those around you . good friends and close relatives may be able to recommend books to you based on what they enjoyed and thought you would also enjoy . but be careful because some people like to read long stories while others dont . if you love science for example , search for science books . check online . the internet is filled with book lovers who are more than happy to share their opinions about various titles . find a community that discusses books and search for the subjects you like , or just visit online retail sites and browse user reviews of books that look good . either way is a great method for getting a quick idea of the most popular and best - liked titles in any category of book . make it a group event . book clubs and readings are both fun ways to expose yourself to new books . many clubs are focused around a particular genre of book , such as science fiction or romance , but some are more general . fiction readings happen regularly at many independent bookstores . nonfiction writers can sometimes be found giving readings or even free guest lectures at nearby colleges . go and listen to see if their book sounds like something you would like to read , and learn a little about something that interests you at the same time . some books starts with brief explanation so dont get bored after the first few pages remember every story has a lesson . there are a few different ways to accomplish this check out the book from the library . the upside of this approach is that its free and easy . if you dont have a library membership , just walk into the library and ask for one . many library systems allow you to electronically reserve a copy of a book you want in advance , and then notify you when the book is available so you can come check it out . be aware that if youre trying to read a very popular book , you may end up weeks or months down the waiting list for a copy . buy the book . visit a bookstore or newsstand and purchase your own copy to keep for as long as you like . the advantage of this method is that with a little work , you can usually find even the hottest books and read them right away the downside is that you have to pay money to buy the book . since youre paying , be sure to pick up the book and read a few pages of it in the store first , so you can tell if youll enjoy the authors writing style when you crack it open at home . borrow the book . friends and relatives who recommend a book to you will often have their own copy and be glad to led it to you for as long as it takes you to finish . be sure to take good care of books you have been loaned , and read them in a timely fashion so you dont forget about them and leave them gathering dust on a shelf for the next year . electronically purchase the book . with the advent of portable e - readers and smartphones over the last several years , electronically published editions of print books are becoming more and more common . it also means that the book can be taken with you anywhere where your phonekindletabletipod is . the cost of purchasing a virtual book is often slightly less than the cost of purchasing a physical copy , so if you have a reader already , you might save a little cash . dont buy huge books if you know you wont finish it . good types of apps for these are the kindle apps or if you have a new version of an iproduct , ibooks . like a paper - and - ink book , an electronic book is yours to keep once youve paid for it . the only downside to this is that , unlike paper books , you cannot pawn them off because the book is installed in your device . remember that electronic editions are more difficult than regular books to bring with you on long vacations or camping trips . find a comfortable place to sit , make sure theres plenty of light , and open the front cover . start at the beginning , which is usually the first chapter unless theres some front material , and read each page in order until the book is finished . if there is any end material , wait until you have finished the rest of the book before reading it . decide whether or not to read the front material . front material is the writing at the front of the book that isnt the first chapter of the book . it comes in four basic flavors , and each type serves a different purpose . you can decide on your own whether or not you want to read any given section of front material . the four types of front material are acknowledgments a brief section that lists people who helped the author in some way during the writing process . you can read acknowledgments if you like , but most people dont bother . acknowledgments also commonly appear at the very end of the book . foreword the foreword is written by a different author than the person who wrote the book , so it is usually only seen in later editions of a book that has made some sort of impact in the past , such as an award - winning novel or an important scientific work . the foreword talks a bit about what to expect from the book , and why it is worth reading . preface the preface is written by the author of the book . it is usually but not always shorter than the foreword , and is basically an essay that explains how and why the book was written . if youre interested in the authors personal life or creative process , the preface can give you some valuable insight . introduction the introduction is the place where the author speaks directly to the reader and introduces the book , reviewing what its intent is and building excitement in the reader about getting to read it . introductions are more often found in nonfiction books than fiction books . if you would rather not know a few things in the book before , reading the writers prelude after would be a good idea . decide whether or not you want to read the end material . end material is other writing , typically by different authors , that appear after the main book has ended . end material is typically comprised of essays or editorials on the book itself , and is not commonly seen outside of academic study editions of certain very famous books , such as john steinbecks the grapes of wrath . as with most front material , all end material is totally optional . if you greatly enjoyed a book , end material can give you a chance to revisit parts of it if you didnt understand the importance of a book , it can provide important historical and cultural context . otherwise , most people ignore it . reading a really good book is an absorbing experience that makes time fly by . have a bookmark ready , and be sure that you dont spend too long reading in one sitting . set a timer on your phone or watch if you have to . this will allow you to enjoy the book longer , and prevent you from missing deadlines or shirking other responsibilities because you were lost in your book . most books that are comprised of many smaller pieces have a clear table of contents to facilitate quickly jumping to a particular piece . some also have an index at the end , which will list keywords and other important terms along with page numbers where each one appears . an effective way to jump into a book of poems or essays is to pick one that sounds interesting and flip to it , rather than starting at the very beginning . you can read this item first and decide how you feel about it , then adjust your browsing method accordingly to find more of what you like and save the boring or less - impressive stuff for last . aside from book - length poems like william carlos williams paterson , or homers iliad , most collections of shorter writing can be read in any order you like . skim and flip through the book , stopping whenever something catches your interest . make the experience your own . approach it according to your personal whims instead of just trying to read straight through it . you will be surprised and delighted at every turn , instead of feeling like you have to slog through things that dont interest you and wait for the good part to come later . keep your eyes open . as you become more attuned to the tone of the book , items that seemed dull before will start to get interesting , so youll always have something more to read . inhabit the writing inside the book and make it a part of your own life by emphasizing your favorite parts . you will enjoy it much more than if you try to dryly deconstruct it or push through it in a linear fashion . keep track of what you read . write down page numbers or author names for items you particularly enjoy so that you can revisit them easily in the future . use a pencil . if you own the book , consider lightly marking it with a pencil wherever you see a line or a word that grabs your attention . it is possible to read a textbook for fun , but the practice is not very common . most people read a textbook because they need to get information , and textbooks are an excellent source of concentrated , clearly - organized information on many topics . to get the most from reading your textbook , have a notepad open beside you while you read . set a pattern . read one paragraph at a time , then stop and make a note about what that paragraph said . try to put it into one or two quick phrases or sentences . review your results . at the end of your session , youll have a personal copy of all the information you need . read over it to ensure that everything makes sense to you . in most cases , it isnt necessary to read a textbook straight through from start to finish , but it isnt very useful to jump from section to section , either . instead , every time you have to read even part of a chapter , if you havent done so already , plan to read that entire chapter . understand more of what you read . reading the whole chapter in order once will put all the information you need into a solid context , making it easier to understand and easier to remember . take a victory lap . theres no need to read back through the whole chapter once youve done it the first time . you can cherry - pick from the chapter as needed afterward . if youre reading a textbook , its probably for a class youre trying to pass . textbooks are dense , slow reads , so the best way to tackle them is to start early and try to make steady progress every time you open one up . make it a date . schedule regular space at least a few days a week to read your textbook , and itll go by much more easily than if you tried to cram it all in right before each test . |
use a standard font and standard margins . list the title first . write your full name . specify the subject , instructor , and date in your final section . | how to make a cover page 6 | most professors prefer you use 1 - inch 2 . 5 - cm margins on all sides and a 12 - point times new roman font . the cover page should be center - aligned . in chicago style , cover page and title page refer to the same thing . your professor may have other requirements . make sure you use the preferred formatting for your course . your title should be typed about a third of the way down from the top of the page . it should be centered on the page . capitalize the first letter of each major word in your title , but not those belonging to minor words . for example how to make a cover page alternatively , some style guides suggest that the title be presented in all caps . do not underline , italicize , or bold the title . if you have a subtitle , place a colon following your title and write the subtitle on the following line . you should go several lines beneath the title , and write your first and last name . if you collaborated with other authors , make sure to include their names as well , separated by a comma . your name should be typed about three quarters of the way down the page . use the same font and size that youve used throughout the cover page . note that this final section should be double - spaced , and each of these elements should be listed on a separate line . include both the name and course number of the subject . write your professors full name and title . use dr . only when appropriate . for example dr . john doe or professor john doe . |
know yourself to find a balance . read just enough that you can implement information in self help books cannot be digested like a novel , so youll get more out of them by focusing on some information a day and trying to digest that information before you go onto the next part . pay attention to details . be a student . make a list . read critically . speed of implementation . act . be focused . work in a group . check back with your group as you all implement the advice . share . do a little at a time . reevaluate , and correct . | how to make the most of self help books | different people have different personalities some people read a lot and apply a little while some people read a little and apply all of it . effectiveness lies in the balance . balance says how much i can read and apply it immediately without losing something i read , so try to find a balance remember . again effectiveness lies in the balance . if there are exercises along the way , such as journaling or reflection , try to do them on the day when you read the chapter that talks about them , when the instructions and purpose are fresh in your mind . try to find information and quotes from the book that can help you in your life . these quotes can serve as motivation as you proceed . do not simply read try to find the inner meanings of the information and understand its purpose . get a notepad before you start and write anything you find interesting into your notepad or get a highlighter and highlight all the main facts or information you find interesting in the book . to make the implementation process organized , make a list consisting of things from the book to implement . for example suppose you learned about the concept of making people important genuinely , then you are more likely to succeed if you apply it right away without giving much time between getting the information and implementation of it . self help books contain advice , and are therefore written for a general audience . the authors do not know you personally , or your situation . as a simple example , many excellent gardening books are written in vermont , but the information and advice in them may be completely inappropriate for californias climate and soils . here are some things to ask yourself as you read does the author have personal experience with this subject does the author have scientific or professional experience with this subject , or has heshe consulted the literature is the advice and experience recommended in the book relevant to your situation does the advice make sense , and does it make sense in your own life how is the author motivated are they selling anything besides books if the book gives financial advice , does the author use it himherself , and does heshe stand to gain from others following the advice is the book well regarded in the community why or why not how do other works in the same subject area compare do they take similar approaches most successful people are those who implement it as soon as they learn something . this may sound like a cliché but the quicker you apply a concept after learning it the better you would be able to the grasp of it . for example if you learn about dance move and if you tried it right away without much delay , more quickly and easily you will learn it easily as compared to when you try to practice it after a delay . a car without an engine will not work . similarly , an idea without hard work will not work . when you read self help books and develop a new idea , work hard to make that idea reality , lest it remain an idea . some people do not focus , even when it is something that could change a life . thus , read in a peaceful environment , as with any other book , and give the information your full attention . read at a time and in an environment that encourages you to stay awake . do not neglect important information . get a meeting place for your group and each time you meet up , read a chapter of the book and discuss the information . give a notepad and pencil , and take turns sharing your thoughts . what worked what still needs work did you stick with the latest part of the plan a little accountability can really help you get going . if something which you learn you find good , share it with your friends and relatives and people who would be interested . this is not only a good thing to do but would also help you to grasp the concept better . small steps add up to big results . remember the tortoise and the hare the tortoise won the race because the hare became exhausted quickly . for the tortoise to win the race , there are a couple of things he needs to do . stick his neck out and get going . keep at it . identify and follow the correct path . so you started the program , and you see yourself getting stuck , or veering off course . ask yourself why . do you need to work harder do you need to work on smaller , more manageable parts is there information youre still missing do you hate what youre doing if so , is it because youre trying to accomplish something difficult such as quitting smoking , or because what youre trying to do isnt right for you your group can help you sort out these parts , also . |
get out the word and set the rules . post your rules first . make sure everyone knows before putting up the form for submitting characters is that if their character gets eliminated from the selection , or dies read southern rebels , that is entirely under your control . post the form for entering the selection . remember you only need 35 girls from 16 to 20 . start figuring out what these characters are going to do , wholl be sent home , and so on . be mindful of peoples feelings . make sure it doesnt take 50 chapters to narrow down to the elite . | how to host a selection syoc | if youre hosting a traditional selection , youre only going to need 35 submissions , all girls and preferably not mary sues perfect , beautiful , and powerful people . youll need to find a place where you can post the rules your players must abide by , the form they must fill for a character , and the actual story . if you want it to be public , use sites like fanfiction . net and quotev . if you want it to only be available to a set number of people , use private texting or email . a syoc is different from a roleplay in that in a roleplay , each person controls their character . in a syoc , the person writing the story is in full control of all your characters . make sure everyone understands this before starting . also post a little backstory . if the competition is for maxon , everyone knows him . however , if its a different prince , youre going to need to post a little bit of backstory . since in the selection series king clarkson did not allow girls under caste 5 , you need to show the treatment of the castes if there are any maxon and america eliminated them . if their character gets to the elite , you can give them a little more leeway in the story , but that is optional . if you want , you could copy the letter and form from the book , or make up your own . no matter which one you do , it should contain a space for the name , province one from each , you might need to move people around caste again , if there are castes , age must be 16 to 20 , looks , and personality . you dont want everyone to be perfect little angels , because wheres the fun in that on the other hand , what happens to these characters should be appropriate for the rating you give the story . its only fair to put in the first 35 people with characters who have your entire sheet filled out . if somebody didnt fill out vital information ex . name feel free to skip over theirs , because no name means no identity . if you handpick people like king clarkson inform everyone . otherwise you will just be seen as rude . having eliminations is mandatory , as is the report where they announce the names , and the convicting for the elite . besides that , have fun america and maxon took walks , there was hunting , the roof , princess eadlyns game show , and tea . remember to update regularly . it might hurt to have their character eliminated on the first day , or be sent home for breaking the rules . but these are your characters now , and you have every right to eliminate some . when it does happen , though , make sure the prince meets the elites parents . if no one minds , you could do it at a halloween ball . just make sure the timeline is clear . |
decide on a storyline . write out the story . find cardboard . stick the written out stories on the cardboard . draw matching illustrations on each page , and colour them with bright , bold colours . carefully cut the corners of the cardboard so they are smooth and rounded bind each page smoothly in clear tape , to preserve the pages . consider how you are going to stick the pages together . stick the pages together the way you have decided to . put it on your babies shelf or wrap it up for whoever you are giving to . | how to make a baby book | something short , simple and snappy . animals seem to be a big theme in babies books , and have been for years . use big , wide letters , not joined up . leave plenty of space for pictures use coloured paper . this will attract a babies attention . make sure it is on good , thick paper . consider typing it up . then , if your handwriting isnt that good , the babyreader can read it . cardboard is suitable , to make the book chunky and durable . , glue may not be suitable , as the baby may be able to lick it , and be poisoned . sewing it with bright wool or thread very tightly may be suitable . , |
gather essentials . consider why you are reading . read . analyze the information you read . refer to other books or the internet for background information to put the book into historical context . write down quotes that strike you , key words for quick reference and your thoughts about what you are reading . go through the notes every now and then and add to it . | how to make a commonplace book | before starting a book get a notebook , preferably one made of recycled paper , a pen and a nice cup of tea or coffee . find a comfortable place to sit . this is a tip in general for whenever you read - always know why you are reading a book . what do you wish to achieve by reading the book is it for a research essay or for a presentation or is it just so you learn something new this is the easiest step of all . just open the book and start reading . ask yourself questions like what does this information mean , do i have to look up something else to understand this information better etc . this works for both fiction and non - fiction . you could also write down any words that you are unfamiliar with . write down the meaning and the sentence you read it in on a separate page which could be maintained as the glossary for your commonplace book . this could help with building your vocabulary . use post - its for keywords or write the information on another sheet and clip it in the right section . |
take out a fresh notebook or calendar any special one that you have in store at home buy one at target , walmart , staples , etc . make sure to write down at least 1 or more goals whether it be mini goals or enormous ones example i want to ride a bike at least 2 times per week or i want to write a novel and leave at least 2 hours to write things about the book and do some research on it . start to get into the habit of going to the library and check out books . do online research too . read about the author and watch video interviews of the authors you admire . if you feel up to it , you can even start fan fiction about your favorite characters . keep a dictionary handy . religiously collect new wordsphrases , plot - pointsideas , character quirks that stick to you in the book . if you have read so far and is thus serious about becoming a writer , never be ashamed to try out the classes in high school or college towards becoming an aspiring writer . | how to get prepared to be a bookworm | and get out a pen or pencil . make sure to stick to that notebook the reason why i want you all to get out a notebook is because you must write down your goals and other things ill cover up while making these steps . write your first and last name in the front or back of your notebook . write down any ideas for books formulate an idea section . it can be whatever way you want it to turn out . this can take about 1 - 10 minutes to do . remember , one of your goals must be related to reading books andor writing . for example , be specific about how many books you want to read in a year you must do the math sadly . and begin with very easy books something that fits your age . this can help you figure out what subject or what genre you appreciate . you can also find new friends with shared interests while you are there . befriend the librarian , and simply look in the back of the books to read the description about the book to get the gist of the story . log on to websites like sparknotes . com or goodreads . com to know more about the bookbooks you are currently reading or the one that you plan to buy . you can catch their reasons to write and know what were their inspirations . if you can relate to something they say , write it down in your notebook . it helps you collect feedback and track your progress via comments from other fans of the work you derive your fan fiction from . if you dont understand a part or word in the book , dont wait ask a friend online what it means unless you can look it up on your own . you will be amazed at how quick your notebook will fill up . remember that becoming published and setting up a writing studio are all a lot cheaper now with e - books and e - readers galore . |
cry as much as you want . allow yourself to feel angry . write a letter to your character . give yourself time . practice self - care . dont judge yourself . talk to friends . find fans online . | how to get over the death of a fictional character 1 | dont think that just because the character is fictional , its silly to cry . people can go through a similar mourning process for fictional characters as they do for real people in their life , though it may be less extreme . know that you are completely justified in your sadness and dont try to suppress feelings of grief . , you might be angry that your character has died . sometimes character deaths come out of the blue and may seem completely unnecessary . you may be furious at the author , or at another character who may have caused their death . let yourself feel these emotions and express them in a healthy way . exercise as a way to let out your anger . even taking a brisk walk to clear your head can help . talk about your anger . either with other fans or with friends and family , talk about how unjust it was for this character to die . this can help you work through your feelings of anger . sometimes we feel extreme grief over the loss of a character because we dont have the opportunity to tell them how important they are to us . writing a letter to your favorite fictional character is a way to feel that you have directly expressed to them your love and your sadness over their death . you may feel silly at first writing to a fictional character . but writing is proven to be very therapeutic , especially when you write directly to someone and express your feelings . , dont expect to feel better immediately . grief is a process that takes different amounts of time for everyone . especially if this death came out of the blue , it can take a while to feel stable and better . whenever you catch yourself thinking that you should be over the death , remember that there is no correct timetable to get over your sadness . , pamper yourself a little bit as you are grieving for this character . this is an important way of acknowledging to yourself that you are going through a difficult time . do one thing a day , whether it be eating your favorite food or sleeping in a little , to give yourself a little boost . , at one point or another , everyone has felt the loss of a fictional character . just because they are not real , that does not mean you dont form attachments to them . in fact , being sad at a characters death is human and it shows that you have a big capacity for empathy . , if you have friends who have read the book or watched the movie or series with your character , talk to them about how sad you are . an important step in getting over grief is to express it . people who are close to you are a great resource because they love and understand you . , sometimes its helpful to find people outside your circle who were also affected by the characters death . its been proven that belonging to fan communities can provide you strong emotional support . talking to fellow fans will help you get your emotions out of your system and make you feel like you arent alone in feeling upset or sad . engage with other fans on official or fan websites . many of these have discussion boards where you can talk about the death of your character . be careful about what information you give about yourself . dont give out personal information like your phone number . consider using a pseudonym when talking with other fans . |
start promoting your book before contacting bookstores to show that youre serious , then continue promoting it and directing potential customers to the stores that are willing to stock your book . ask the store to order your book from their distributors . if they arent interested in stocking physical copies - or even if they are , in addition to the print copies - ask about opportunities to promote the ebook version . identify the bookstore contact person . be professional and respectful . follow up . be as professional at the end as at the beginning . respect staff time . continue marketing . | how to get a self published book into bookstores | create a website or blog for the book . create a press kit . describe the book and provide contact information . include only the most influential or glowing reviews . leave out irrelevant information such as your personal resume . you have about 60 seconds to make an impression with it , so make sure your strongest selling points are on the first page . send press releases to local newspapers and bookstores . it will be much more effective if you send these to individual contact people , so make some phone calls or do some research to find out the specific person who reviews books in each company . advertise in local publications . let your bookstore contact person know that youre marketing the book locally . offer to put an available at . line in future ads if they will accept the book for sale . contact local tv and radio stations for interviews . again , having the name of a contact person will make your efforts more productive . if you have mutual friends , ask them to recommend you to media people they know . offer to hold author readings at libraries and writing conferences to increase your visibility . create fliers containing information about your book . include the isbn and a brief synopsis . leave the flyers on public bulletin boards to create local interest . enlist your network . ask your friends , neighbors , family , and co - workers - to request the book at their local bookstores . then resist the temptation to sell your book to those people yourself . ask them to wait to buy it from the store so that there is a history of good sales . if your book is available through national distributors such as ingram or baker taylor , the bookstore can order directly from the distributor and may be willing to do so just from a phone call . taking books one - at - a - time on consignment from the author , on the other hand , is much more time - consuming and thus less profitable for bookstores than going through an established distributor , which automates reordering , returns , and payments . through a partnership between the american booksellers association local independent bookstores and kobo inc , bookstores can sell ebooks and earn a percentage of all device and ebook sales . if you are distributing your book yourself , call the bookstore and ask who handles their consignment or local author books . start with chain bookstores to get experience with the process then approach independent bookstores , which are more likely to have a local authors section . if you are a local author , the bookstore will be more likely to accept your book as a community service than if youre some distant author who will not be doing local promotion . ask if you can make an appointment to come in and show them the book . at your meeting with the bookstore contact , distinguish yourself from pushy self - published authors by being easy to work with . when contacting the bookstore , saying that your book is available through online - only booksellers or your personal website is not a selling point compared with reputable publishers , these methods are used heavily for the vanity publishing of books that did not have high enough quality for traditional publishing . although you may be a long - time customer of that bookstore , you are now the seller and they are the customer . its fine to say that you love the store if you do , but dont pressure them to take your book just because youve bought a lot of books from them in the past . be prepared to leave a copy of the book with the manager or buyer for evaluation . let them know that you would be available for author signings and readings when the time comes meaning if the book sells . ask the bookstore contact person if they would like a complimentary copy of the book , but dont ask them to read it they will read your book if they are interested in it . it is naive to suggest that the store should put your book on their staff recommendations shelf , or that they display it at the front counter . marketing decisions are made by the bookstore , and only amateurs ask to be placed on the stores top - selling , most visible locations before there is a history of strong sales . do not presume to tell a bookstore that they will sell a lot of copies . that is out of your hands . let your results speak for themselves . check back periodically with the stores that have taken the book and ask if they need more copies . every 6 - 8 weeks is sufficient . dont be grudging when the contract time is up and the store asks you to take back unsold copies . they took a chance , and if the book didnt sell , it is largely because the author didnt promote it or send people in to look at it . if youre cheerful and respectful , the bookstore will be much more likely to accept your future work . if youre in a busy bookstore , get in and out as quickly as you can . once the store accepts the book , you no longer need to sell it by talking about yourself or the book . its actually counter - productive to monopolize staff time and doesnt work to get the staff to hand - sell your book . like every other reader , the bookstore contact person will take a quick look at the book and make their own buyingreading decisions . once youve gotten your self - published book into bookstores , dont stop working . push the book as hard as you did before to encourage people to buy it . your book will be restocked , especially by larger chain bookstores , only if sales are good . |
reread or re - watch your favorite scenes . emulate the character . remember their impact . reconsider their death . | how to get over the death of a fictional character 2 | revisiting your character when they were alive and happy is a great way to make you feel less sad . its comforting to know that even though they eventually die , you can always go back and spend time with them . , there are qualities that you love and admire about your favorite character . try to incorporate them into your daily life . if you admire the characters kindness , try to be kind and generous . this is a way of letting the characters legacy live on . you can even emulate your character in every day kinds of ways . if your character liked to take long walks or to drink coffee , try these things out . they will make you feel closer to your character and it will help you to understand them in a different way . think about your favorite character and the impact they made not only on you , but on other characters . the story would not be the same without this character , and even though they are gone you still can remember all the good that they did for the book or show . , maybe you feel like their death was unnecessary or wrong . however , most authors kill off characters for a reason . often its to spur other characters into action . although the death of your fictional character was devastating , maybe it was necessary for the plot or for the other characters of the story . just because the death happened for a reason , it doesnt mean you have to be any less sad about it . it may just be comforting to know that they didnt die in vain . |
write fan fiction . read fan fiction . make fan art . write a fan song . | how to get over the death of a fictional character 3 | write fan fiction about your favorite character . you can fill in the gaps in their life that the writer didnt cover . or you can even write them an alternate ending to their story . this is a powerful way of engaging with the character and keeping them alive in your life . one reason why you may be so affected by the characters death is because you felt like a spectator in their life . writing fan fiction gives you an outlet to engage with your character directly and even to control their fate . , if youre not the writing type , read fan fiction . nowadays many books , television series and movies have fan fiction based on them . do an internet search for fan fiction . reading fan fiction can be thrilling because it opens up a whole new life for your favorite character beyond the original cannon and can make their death less of a harsh blow . most fan fiction comes in categories . for instance , theres romantic fan fiction that ships certain character together . theres also crossover fan fiction that blends different stories or series together . pick whatever fan fiction you feel like exploring . , fan art is another powerful way to connect with your character . especially for book characters , fan art can give your character another dimension . drawing is a way of spending time with your character , and it can make their loss feel less upsetting . draw your character based on your favorite scene . this is a great way of injecting yourself into your favorite parts of their life . writing music about a character is not nearly as common as fan fiction and art , but if you are the musical type you may want to try writing a song about your character . song writing has long been used to eulogize , and it may make you feel better to write a tribute and express your grief in song . |
find a similar book , show or movie . explore a new genre . revisit an old favorite character . | how to get over the death of a fictional character 4 | youre not betraying your favorite character by finding a different character or story to follow . it may help to find the next closest thing to your character and envelop yourself in that story . do a google search to find similar titles or ask friends and family for recommendations . if you dont feel like sticking to the same genre , you may try going down a different path . if you move from a romance book to something like a sci - fi novel , youre bound to find a completely different set of characters . sometimes it can help to get out of the realm that your favorite character was in . go back to the favorite books or movies of your childhood . because you already know what happens , there is no suspense or anticipation about an unforeseen character death . spend time with some of your favorite characters from past years as a comfort for feelings of loss . |
decide on the size for the books . use printer paper for the inner pages . fold each strip into even sizes to form a concertina length . join the strips together with glue or double - sided tape . when they are all joined , glue together along the spine . measure the outer cover . remove the clip from the book pages . fold the spine sides in neatly to fit the book exactly . gently fold the paper flap edges around the inner first pages of the pages stack . slip the cover back over the pages stack to check that it is fitting neatly . make the insert flaps for the spine ends of the book . reinsert the pages stack . make any adjustments needed to ensure that the cover fits well . decorate the outside cover of the book . done . | how to make a doll book 1 | theyre best kept under 2 . 5cm or 1 - inch height for the standard dollhouse but you may wish them to be taller or shorter . if the doll is much larger , simply increase the size of the paper to suit the dolls hand size . cut this paper into lengthwise strips that are slightly smaller than the intended final size of the book . you dont want the pages to hang out over the cover . use the first strip youve cut as a template for cutting the remaining strips . the amount of strips you use is up to you . the more strips you use , the thicker the book the less you use , the thinner the book . fold each strip exactly the same way . always slip the new piece joining over the edge of the old piece , all the way along until all pieces are joined . clip together with a binder clip while drying , to ensure that they join together very firmly . place the glued - together stack of pages onto the patterned or colored paper . cut out the cover to a size both wider and higher than the stack of pages , making sure to cut enough to wrap around the whole book , plus have flaps each side when folded in . wrap the new cover around the book . ensure that it is evenly aligned all the way around the pages stack . make the folds crisp and clean . keep this neat all the way around and dont press too tightly just yet . remove the cover from the pages stack and make these folds firmly on the work surface . make adjustments if needed . remove the pages stack again and hold it in the center of the cover youve just made . mark the top and base edges of the spine on the inside of the cover . measure in a little way up the spine and make a mark . draw two long triangles each side of the spine to reach this mark . then cut them out either side . you now have flaps for folding into the middle of the pages stack when it is reinserted . fold the side flaps over the sides of the pages stack and the center flaps into the top and base of the stack . you may need to use invisible tape to hold parts together . this part is optional but allows you to customize it if needed . the book is now ready for using with your doll or dollhouse . |
decide on the size for the books . measure the height youve chosen on plain white paper . lay three pieces of paper one on top of the other . use the cut strip to continue cutting out strips of the same length all the way along the remainder of the piece of paper . cut the strips into pieces that are twice the width of the finished pages . fold the cut stacked three paper pieces in halves . align a stack of signatures together . paint mod podge down the spine . paint on at least one more coat of mod podge . prepare the hardcover part of the book . paint a coating of mod podge on the inside of the hardcover and press it around the signature stack . add details to the spine of the book . paint over the details with a layer of mod podge . done . | how to make a doll book 2 | theyre best kept under 2 . 5cm or 1 - inch height for the standard dollhouse but you may wish them to be taller or shorter . make the measurement just a little shorter than the book height , as you dont want the pages sticking out over the top . cut a strip from the stacked pieces to the measurement youve just made . this forms the start of the book pages . cut in stacks of three , as before . these now form one set each of signatures that will be attached together to form the inside the hardcover book . the amount of signatures you have is up to you more means a thicker book , less means a thinner book . ensure that they are perfectly neat along the folded side the bound side , so that it looks orderly . this side forms the spine of the book . fill in the gaps between the signatures with mod podge too this helps to ensure a smooth surface and keeps the signatures tightly bound together . allow to fully dry before proceeding . it is a good idea to either put something heavy to weigh down the spine as it dries or hold it in a vice such as a binder clip . you may find you need a few more coats keep them all lighter than the original coat . always allow for sufficient drying time between coats . measure the book cover to be slightly larger higher and wider than the pages youve just stacked together . cut more rather than less , as you can always cut away any excess . ensure that it is placed evenly around each side of the stack . paint the entire cover with a thick layer of mod podge now , to both help it stays affixed and to begin strengthening the cover . allow this layer to dry properly . paint or attach stripes to the spine , just as for a real old hardback book . you can mark on any fine detail as wished use real books to guide you . allow drying fully . the hardback book is now ready for shelving in the dollhouse . make much more and fill the whole bookcase . |
decide on the size for the books . measure the cardboard to the book size youre after . measure the paper strip . fold the paper strip into a concertina . cut the scrap fabric or colored paper to cover the cardboard covers . attach the fabric or paper to the cardboard covers . attach the accordion strip to the covers . pull the book open . glue a little piece of ribbon onto the back cover . | how to make a doll book 3 | theyre best kept under 2 . 5cm or 1 - inch height for the standard dollhouse . however , if making for a baby doll , youll need to make them much larger . youll need two pieces of cardboard at this measurement . trace the lines on the cardboard , then cut them out , so that you have two separate pieces for the cover . using printer paper , measure the strip to be slightly smaller than the cover youve just made . as for all the books in this tutorial , you dont want the paper insert to be larger than the cover . the longer the strip , the wider the book will open and the more pages it will contain and vice versa . the folds should be slightly smaller than the width of the cardboard cover . youll need one piece for each cover , allowing for extra to fold onto the inside of the covers . trim the corners to miter them for easy folding . carefully align them so that an equal amount of fabric will be folded over onto the inside of the covers for each edge . glue in place on the outside of the cover , then carefully glue the folded edges onto the inside cover . the folded gluing is a little tricky , so take it slowly and work methodically around each edge until theyre all intact . glue the outer last sheet of one end of the accordion strip to the inner side of one cover . repeat for the outer side of the last sheet at the other end of the accordion strip , only this time gluing it to the other inside the cardboard cover . allow to fully dry . the concertina pages will open out revealing distinct folded pages . you can write or draw on these , or stick images or letters onto them . glue another little piece to the front cover . tie in a bow to keep the book closed when not in use . |
enter the right book expo . know your products . offer free items . display a wide variety of books . create specialty themes . advertise featured authors . bring extra stock . | how to have a successful book expo booth | some book fairs are open to applicants of all genres , but others are geared toward specific reader demographic groups , like childrens book expos or african - american literature fairs . be successful at a book expo by entering expos that get the audience that will be the most receptive to the books youre selling . look for expos that target readers of a specific age or interest group that tend to buy your books . become very familiar with each book youll be selling in your booth prior to entering a book expo . be sure you know author information , genre of the book and chronological information if the book is part of a series . this information will help you answer questions and make recommendations to book buyers . , giveaway items can help you have a successful booth at a book expo by bringing more shoppers to your booth and leaving them with something to remember the books or publishing house you represent . childrens toys that tie into childrens books for sale , pens and pencils bearing your publishing houses name and postcards advertising upcoming releases are all popular giveaway items that will boost sales . have a lucrative book expo booth by offering book buyers a variety of authors , subjects and genres to choose from . stock the entire catalog if youre representing only one author . offer a number of genres if youre selling for a publisher that represents many authors and genres . , coordinate themes within your book expo booth display to attract buyers . group christmas books in one festive section up front if the holiday season is approaching or create a grouping of fiction novels related to a current popular movie . this will help you sell more books by appealing to current trends . book expos and fairs often feature lectures or interviews with popular authors . promote the works of these authors in your booth or similar authors or genres of writing . the book expo will already be heavily advertising these featured speakers , so offering related books will draw more traffic to your booth . , bestsellers and books by authors speaking at the expo will sell quickly . bring extra inventory for popular titles and subjects to ensure that you dont have to turn any book buyers away empty handed . |
dont overuse the filters . remember author names . google fanfiction recommendations . look at the favorites list of the authors . dont limit yourself to fanfiction . net . keep an open mind . read the summaries . search through communities . look at peoples favorites section . | how to find good fanfiction | the filters can help find specific characters that you like to read about , but cutting out too much of the content can lead you to overlooking some of the best stories . however , if you can use them sparingly , they may offer some good choices . while you may want to only find completed stories , many of the best stories out there are still in progress . be especially careful of filtering out all mature material , as many writers include that tag just in case despite not having any content that would be objectionable to even the average older child . if you come across a really good author that you like , chances are theyll have something else that you like . on ff . net you can make a user account and add the best stories to your favorites and then check the author of the story for more fanfics . if you are browsing through livejournal or other sites , make a note of the authors name and add it to a list to look for later . there are loads of fic recommendation everywhere on the internet . livejournal and discussion forums for specific fandoms are good sources of lists for you to explore . large fandoms such as harry potter or naruto have pages and discussion forums specialized for specific pairings and genres . if an author has written something you like , the chances are they will recommend higher quality stories than the average reviewer . go to other sources , such as livejournal or fanfic lists for a specific fandom and see what wonders await you there . authors also sometimes have personal websites where they post stories , which goes back to paying attention to author names . just because an author does not use your preferred pairing or subscribe your particular pet theory about a show doesnt mean their story cant be enjoyable . while you may not personally like ocs or some pairing , dont immediately write the story off just because it includes that in the summary . read a chapter or two and see if the writers style is engaging . a good shortcut to know if a story is worth the time to read it is by looking at the summary . if it has misspellings , all lowercase , or phrases like i suck at summaries , just read it you should simply skip over it . while its possible you might miss a good story that way , you will certainly avoid wasting a lot of time wading through poorly written stories . likewise , if you start and fic and you find that the first chapter is riddled with mistakes , drop the story before you invest a lot of time in something that wont be satisfying . communities ccs hand pick stories with specific qualities to them that there are no filters for . look for communities with large numbers of members but not too many recommendations . look for people with fewer stories on their favorites list and that include stories that you have already read and liked . |
go to the ar book finder website a direct link to it can be found above . type in the name of the book you want to search for , in the search box . view the data of the book you were looking for , once you have found it . | how to find the reading level of a book with arbookfind | once you get to the site , you will see a welcome window . that window asks that you identify who you are - - a student , parent , teacher , or librarian . click on the option that applies , and then click on submit . you can perform a search for book titles by authors or topics or , if you wish to do so , type in the title of the book you are looking for . when you have completed your search , click on the go button to view your search results . to refine your search , click on advanced search . you should see the reading level also known as the book level of the book just after bl . |
talk to friends and colleagues . create a listing online . interview several designers . draft a written contract . get the designer to sign your contract . register the copyright . | how to gain ownership of your self published book cover 1 | you may know someone who is a skilled artist or graphic designer and is willing to work with you to design an exclusive cover for you as a work made for hire . if the art on your cover is work - for - hire , you own the copyright to it . even if you dont personally know any graphic designers , someone you know may have a designer they can recommend . personal recommendations often are stronger than finding someone on your own . when you have a connection with the designer , they typically have a personal interest in doing good work for you . working with someone you know also may get you a reduction in price relative to hiring a professional , but dont take advantage of this . even if your designer is a close friend or relative , show that you respect them and their profession by paying them a fair rate for their work . if they intend to offer you a discount , let them offer it – dont ask for one or assume youll get one . even if youre not lucky enough to know someone whos willing to create your cover for you , there are many websites that allow you to list your job and find a suitable designer . keep in mind that youre not likely to get an experienced , top - notch designer this way . the work of skilled designers typically is in high demand , and they arent going to be looking for work on online job boards . however , you could easily find a beginner or student who has the skills and talent to design a beautiful cover for you at a fraction of the price an experienced professional would charge . before you place your listing , do a little research on the acceptable going rate for projects such as yours . dont insult designers by offering less than their work is worth – even if theyre just starting out . you also should avoid trying to find someone to create a cover for you for free . if youre willing to hire them to design your cover , be willing to compensate them for their time and effort . you want your book to look great , so even if youre feeling rushed for time , this isnt a situation where you want to just hire the first designer who expresses interest in your project . take your time to talk to several designers and review their portfolios . not only do you want to make sure they have the skills to pull off what you want , you also want to make sure their artistic vision and design aesthetic matches your needs . someone whose portfolio is full of dark , gothic , black - and - white images probably wont have the right aesthetic to create a sunny cover design for your happy coming - of - age novel . you also need a good understanding of the time it will take them to complete the project and the sorts of deadlines and time constraints theyre comfortable with . when you talk to designers , have a few basic ideas in mind so you can brainstorm possibilities and they can give you a reliable estimate of how long the project will take them . to create a valid work - for - hire , you must have an explicit written agreement that sets forth the terms of the project and establishes that youve commissioned the work for your use only and will own the rights to it after its completion . you may be able to find samples or agreement templates online that you can use as guides – but read them carefully and make sure the language youre using will achieve your goals and meet your needs . the contract should include specific deadlines for completion and the types of files the designer will deliver to you . check with the company youre using to self publish your book to get the appropriate page dimensions , file sizes , and other specifications the designer will need . these figures also should be included in your contract . create a clause related to ownership and identify the book cover explicitly as a work for hire . state that the artist or designer is creating the work for you and he or she has no ownership right in the finished product . since copyright protection begins from the moment something is created , have your designer sign the work - for - hire agreement before they begin working on your cover design . make sure the designer understands that the work theyre creating for you is a work - for - hire and theyll have no copyright ownership interest in it . if youve agreed to let the designer include the design in their portfolio or to provide attribution to the artist of the work , this should be spelled out in the contract . however , neither of these things affect the copyright ownership in the work . ideally , both you and the designer should sign the same contract . if this isnt feasible – for example , because you hired someone online and they live far away – consider using an electronic document signing service to transmit and digitally sign the contract online . both you and the designer should have a copy of the signed contract before work begins on your book cover . since your book cover is a work - for - hire , you own the copyright in it , which means you must register that copyright . this is a separate copyright from any copyright you registered in the test of the book itself . the copyright in a work for hire lasts 95 years from publication or 120 years from creation , whichever is shorter . this term differs from the copyright in your book , which will last for your life plus 70 years . the easiest way to register your copyright is to use the u . s . copyright offices online registration service on its website . this service allows you to submit electronic copies of the work for deposit , pay lower registration fees relative to mailing in a paper application , and check the status of your application at any time . keep in mind that registration isnt strictly necessary to own the copyright , although it does provide benefits such as the right to sue for infringement in federal court . |
evaluate stock photo services . read the available license agreements carefully . choose a rights - managed license . quantify your use . | how to gain ownership of your self published book cover 2 | there are numerous professional stock photo companies online that allow you to peruse their catalogues and purchase rights to stock photos created by professional photographers . the first thing you need to look at is how to purchase images from the company . some stock photo companies allow you to purchase a license for a single image , while others require you to become a member or buy a package that includes the potential usage of multiple images . if you decide you want to use a stock photo for your self - published book cover , check the usage restrictions on each stock photo service to make sure the service allows use of photos for self - published books . some companies restrict usage based on the genre of book youve written . specifically , some stock photo services dont allow their images to be used for erotic novels . check out some of the photos available and find several that might meet your needs . exclusive rights may not be an option for some of them . stock photo services typically offer several different levels of licensing agreements so you can find one that meets your needs and your budget . you may be able to find something that falls short of complete ownership but still accomplishes your goals . keep in mind that different levels of exclusivity also vary in price . even though you want ownership of your cover , an exclusive license may not be in your budget – meaning youd have to settle for less than complete ownership or pursue another method of getting a design for your cover . royalty free images are among the most common licenses granted by stock photo companies , and give you the right to unlimited use of the image . however , this license is not exclusive meaning others also could use it , and you have no ownership rights in the image itself . if youre looking for ownership of your self - published book cover , you probably dont want to go with a royalty - free license , even though you can get one relatively cheaply . the photo is only part of the cover . you still have some design work to do in terms of placing the title , your name , and any other material on the front and back covers . while a rights - managed license doesnt give you complete ownership of your self - published book cover , it does grant you the exclusive right to use the image as long as the book is sold . with a rights - managed license , you have the exclusive right to use the image , which may be as good as ownership in terms of not having to worry about any other self - published book having the same image on its cover . however , rights - managed licenses also tend to be expensive – maybe even prohibitively so , depending on your budget . keep in mind that not even large corporations buy rights - managed licenses as a general rule due to their cost . one of the trickiest parts of purchasing a rights - managed license for a self - published book cover is determining how long you need exclusive rights to the image . other terms such as geographic area of use also will potentially affect the cost of the license . the license you buy typically is tailored to your specific use . in some instances , this may mean that your rights are only exclusive in regard to book covers – meaning no one else can use the image for their book cover – but the image remains free for others to license and use in other fields . if youre self publishing , you may have difficulty being able to pin down the exact territory of your use or the length of time you want your license to last . if youre using a print - on - demand service , youll have even more difficulty if the exclusivity of the license depends on the number of copies youve distributed . for example , if you get a rights - managed license for 100 , 000 copies of your book , and you sell 100 , 001 copies , you wouldnt have the right to use the image on that last copy . however , if you only intend to sell a particular number of copies of your book , or sell it only for a limited period of time , these issues may not be a problem . |
research the basic principles of graphic design . license the appropriate software . search for templates . register your copyright . | how to gain ownership of your self published book cover 3 | you dont want or need to get too deep into the weeds , but you should have an understanding of core design rules before you take the leap into designing your own cover . you might want to look at lists of good and bad book covers to get an understanding of what the good ones do right and what the bad ones do wrong . this can give you a good idea of basic design principles like balance and contrast without having to do too much studying . you also may be able to find design tutorials and videos online that will demonstrate some good design ideas you can incorporate into your cover . typically doing graphic design requires having some sort of graphic design application on your computer , as well as a basic understanding of how to use it . many software manufacturers offer short term licenses for their products . most software companies offer basic tutorials online that will teach you how to use the program for free . you also may be able to take a class offered by your local public library . many graphic design applications are now licensed under a software as a service type arrangement . this may benefit you as theyll save your work to the cloud . some of these applications also offer access to premium design elements and stock images . check your licensing agreement carefully , as well as the terms and conditions of the softwares use . make sure you have the right to use the software for commercial purposes . you typically can find templates online that can make it easier for you to arrange and place elements on your design page . be careful to make sure any fonts or design elements you use are licensed for commercial use . these issues also arise if you use an online service to design your cover for you . some of these services only provide limited rights to various elements of their designs . if you decide to use a template or online service , read the terms and conditions carefully so you understand what aspects of your book cover you own . keep in mind that if you use an online service to create your book cover , the cover itself often is owned by the service you used , not you – even if you logged onto the service and created it . often if you use an online service you must purchase an additional license to exploit your creation commercially . if you create your own book cover other than by using a cover creator service , you have a separate copyright in that design , and it must be registered separately from the copyright for the book itself . you will have to provide deposit copies of the cover design and pay registration fees . go to the u . s . copyright offices website to register online and save on postage as well as registration fees . on your application , the date you use should be the date you created your cover , not the date your self - published book is being released to the public . once your registration is complete , your copyright will last for your life plus 70 years . |
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