Searching the Internet and Raising Money

If you visit here often you’ve probably seen the link to GoodSearch.com in the sidebar. I’ve been searching through there for a while now (it supplements my Google addiction 🙂 ) and I figured I should do a post about it.

Basically, GoodSearch allows you to raise money for non-profits by searching the Internet. It’s Yahoo-powered so you get the same results you would with Yahoo. I personally have to search a little differently with it than I do with Google, but it’s a pretty good search engine and I find that I’m using it more and more now. The also have a site, GoodShop, that allows you to do your online shopping through retailers like Amazon.com and raise money that way for non-profits. A larger % tends to go to the charity if you use GoodShop.

How it works:

You type in the name of a charity (it has to be US based, they don’t do overseas just yet) and click verify. If the group is in there, you can start searching, and $.01 goes to your organization of choice for every search you do. The money that goes to the charity comes from GoodSearch advertisers. And that’s pretty much it, but you can get a very detailed description from their website.

Here are some non-profits you can search for:

Heifer International on GoodSearch.
Their website.
(Heifer International is one of the best charitable organizations around. They help people to raise themselves out of poverty and hunger by providing livestock and education on building businesses with the tools they’re provided. Also, they have a “pass-it-along” model in which those that receive livestock give to their neighbors. For instance, if a family receives goats, they provide milk for neighbors and sell milk at the market. If a female goat gives birth, that one is given to a neighbor. They have many programs, and they’re all described fully on their site.)

Save Darfur on GoodSearch.
Their website.

From their site:

The Save Darfur Coalition was founded in 2004 when our organizational members signed a unity statement demanding peace and security for the people of Darfur. We are an alliance of over 180 faith-based, advocacy and humanitarian organizations. The Coalition’s member organizations represent 130 million people of all ages, races, religions and political affiliations united together to help the people of Darfur.

KIVA on GoodSearch.
Their website.

From their site:

How Kiva Works –
Step 1: Choose an entrepreneur
The loans on our site are always changing. They are being uploaded by our microfinance partners around the world. You can find a new loan on the home page or on the ‘Fundraising’ Loans page.

Step 2: Make a loan
When you have selected an entrepreneur, you can make a loan using your credit card (via PayPal). You can loan as little as $25 at a time. Checking out is easy and safe because of PayPal.

Step 3: Receive journals and payments
Periodically, you will hear back from the entrepreneur you sponsor. Partner representatives (often loan officers) write directly to the website to keep you informed on the progress of the entrepreneur. If you choose, you can receive these via email.

Step 4: Withdraw or re-loan
When your Kiva loan is repaid, you can choose to withdraw your funds or re-loan to a new entrepreneur.

# # #
Nancy O. Greene

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Primaries – Maryland Polls Close Soon

It’s 8:45 p.m. and the Maryland polls aren’t closed yet. A judge ordered an extension due to the bad weather.

So far, with 61% of the votes counted in Virgina, Obama is ahead. I will be very surprised if he doesn’t win Maryland as well.

Yesterday, I attended the Stand for Change Rally with Barack Obama at the 1st Mariner Arena. Over 15,000 people packed the space to capacity–young and old, various races and ethnic groups, women and men. The crowd was excited, and from the second Obama walked on stage, there wasn’t a boring moment. Not only did he connect with the audience, he outlined clear plans for the future and showed that he, too, is realistic about–and prepared for–the challenges ahead.

H. Clinton is now in Texas, where she hopes to re-energize her campaign after back-to-back losses and the firing/stepping down of her campaign manager. But Hillary is expected to win Texas and Ohio.

(CNN now reports that Barack is now ahead in the delegate count by 2–1170 to 1168.)

McCain is likely to win the GOP vote in Maryland and is projected as the winner in Virgina. But Huckabee is closer in the polls than almost anyone expected . . .

Exciting!
–
See where they stand on the issues:

http://www.ontheissues.org/Hillary_Clinton.htm

http://www.ontheissues.org/Barack_Obama.htm

http://www.ontheissues.org/John_McCain.htm

http://www.ontheissues.org/Mike_Huckabee.htm

http://www.ontheissues.org/Ron_Paul.htm

###
Nancy O. Greene
http://www.portraits.bravehost.com

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Writers from across the blogosphere – Writers’ Block carnival

Welcome to the January 5, 2008 edition of writers from across the blogosphere. Enjoy!

writing

M. Cruz presents Developing Unique Characters – Its The Little Things That Count! posted at NOIRLECROI.COM.

Steve Osborne presents Proofreading Tips posted at TheWritersBag.com, saying, “Writing tips for the real world, from a professional writer.”

Missy presents It may not be a traditional dance, but it’s a dance just the same posted at Incurable Disease of Writing, saying, “A musical revelation freed me from my self-doubt and writing is back on track.”

Sean-Paul Kelley presents Recreating Long Lost Drama: The Xiongnu and the Han, 200BC posted at The Agonist, saying, “The question I’m facing right now is how to bring out the inherent drama of an event that took place more than two thousand years ago and is little known in the West.”

Carol Bentley presents The power of words. . . posted at Carol Bentley.

Ward Tipton presents Coming Write Up | The Write Page posted at The Online Writing Resource Center, saying, “Many people would like to get into writing but either have no knowledge about where to get started or worse, they become consumed by “analysis paralysis” or feelings of insecurity because they doubt themselves. Doubt no more!”

Jason Mueller presents Poem of Pain posted at Over Ten Years Serving the Reading Public.

Rebecca Wallace-Segall presents Yay, Motivation! posted at a community of young writers in new york city.

Nicola Marsh presents Romance, rumours and rogues posted at Romance, rumours and rogues.

Carol Bentley presents Do your headlines grab your reader?s undivided attention posted at Carol Bentley.

Jason Mueller presents Plausible Denial posted at Over Ten Years Serving the Reading Public.

Tali presents THE NIGHT-CELL posted at Helium – Where Knowledge Rules, saying, “I’m trying to build up this character, while writing a few shorts, involving her. This is the first.”

authors

Jason presents ExecutedToday.com » 1849: Not Fyodor Dostoyevsky posted at Executed Today, saying, “We catch up with Fyodor Dostoyevsky — including some original translation of his “holy crap, I’m alive” message — on the anniversary of his mock-execution.”

Kilroy_60 presents Kilroy Fear & Loathing, A Hunter S. Thompson tribute – A business management consultant, spiritualist & writer looks at life – Sex Drugs Rock & Roll posted at Fear And Loathing – The Gonzo Papers.

blogs

Jeanie Marshall presents Blogging for Coaches, Consultants, and Other Professionals posted at JMviews Meditation and Empowerment, saying, “Over the years while coaching and consulting, I have encouraged many of my clients to write. Sometimes I suggest they write to sort out ideas, with no intention for publishing or even sharing the writing with anyone. Other times, I suggest they write so that they eventually publish something. More and more, I am suggesting that my clients write a blog. The blog is one of those very powerful mechanisms, readily available.”

Alfa King presents Blogging year, against all odds posted at Alfa King Memories.

Susan presents Monetarizing Your Travel Blog posted at The Innovative Traveler, saying, “Montearize Your Travel Blog”

Warren Wong presents How To Start A Successful Blog posted at Personal Development for INTJs, saying, “Tips on how to start a successful blog and what it takes to succeed.”

articles

Joshua Seth presents Getting Lost in Istanbul posted at Joshua Seth Blog, saying, “A Voyage to feel the taste of Old Europe through Hippodrome, the site of chariot races in old Constantinople and the Egyptian obelisk.”

Jim Sansi presents PR What? posted at The Kaizen Business.

book reviews

John presents Review: Of a Feather posted at A DC Birding Blog.

Sean-Paul Kelley presents So, You Want To Travel The Silk Road? posted at The Agonist, saying, “In his new book, Shadow of the Silk Road, Colin Thubron makes clear the magnitude of the task for writers who want to tackle the Silk Road. (I’m one of those writers.)”

Tiffany Washko presents Everything I Want to Do Is Illegal! posted at Natural Family Living Blog.

GrrlScientist presents The Snoring Bird posted at Living the Scientific Life, saying, “This book by Bernd Heinrich, a noted biologist, is a memoir that documents his father’s life and their relationship, and how his father influenced the scientist and the man that the author became. [book review]”

Torrie presents Book Review: Father’s Aren’t Supposed to Die posted at A Time of Grief.

interviews

Jeanie Marshall presents Jeanie Marshall Interviews Peter Shepherd posted at JMviews Meditation and Empowerment, saying, “Jeanie Marshall interviews Peter Shepherd, who is the Owner of Tools for Transformation, a personal development site which he started in 1997. He offers a considerable amount of valuable information at his web site, in his products, and through his mailings.”

Jason presents 1962: Arthur Lucas and Ronald Turpin posted at Executed Today, saying, “This is an interview I conducted recently with Canadian journalist Robert Hoshowsky on his recent book “The Last To Die” — about the last men hanged in Canada.”

life

Joshua C. Karlin presents Why You Need to Ask posted at Marketing & Fundraising Ideas.

Edith presents How to Stay Focused posted at Edith Yeung.Com: Dream. Think. Act., saying, “Are you distracted? Are you thinking about 3 things at the same time? Do you have more than 3 screens opened on your computer right now? If you said yes to any of the questions above, please stay focused here and read on.”

Rebecca Wallace-Segall presents Poetry Slam–Now That’s a Competition posted at a community of young writers in new york city.

John Crenshaw presents “He Tells Me To Burn Things” posted at Dominate Your Life, saying, “How do you distinguish good advice from bad, how do you know when someone is just telling you to “burn things?””

Warren Wong presents Conversation Skills / Tips: How To Have A Good Conversation posted at Personal Development for INTJs, saying, “Tips to improve your conversation skills and help you have a good conversation!”

Chickens in the Road presents The Slanted Little House posted at Suzanne McMinn, saying, “A writer at a turning point in her life picks up her laptop and moves to the country with her three children to find the real meaning of home–and life.”

Alex Blackwell presents Ask for What You Want posted at The Next 45 Years.

Justin Duval presents www.darkgrin.com – Why You Choose to Get Angry posted at The Dark Grin, saying, “Check out why you choose to get angry!”

Terry Dean presents Overcome Fear posted at Integrity Business Blog by Terry Dean.

Carol Bentley presents Invitation to birthday celebration posted at Carol Bentley.

philosophy

Meggie Pace presents A Beautiful House and Books–The Most Important Things in Life? posted at Earthly Paradise, saying, “William Morris’ philosophy integrated art, philosophy and “everyday life” in a way that almost seems impossible to today’s reader. He once argued that having a beautiful home and books were two of the most important things in life. Was he right? On reflection, I think he was!”

CG Walters presents Truth is But a Resting Place posted at Into the Mist, saying, “Many people are willing to accept that experiences and memories of the past become guides for our choices in the present, thereby dictating the future. Most people see these memories or experiences as defined once and never changing. I, on the other hand, am forced to view them as a more fluid commodity.”

Justin Duval presents www.darkgrin.com – The Spectrum of Extremes posted at The Dark Grin.

Pearl presents Spreading the Love via Compassion posted at :: Interesting Observations ::, saying, “Whats your definition of compassion?”

Matthew Spears presents Trusting Perceptions and Higher Communication posted at Loving Awareness, saying, “One of the most fundamental aspect of any growth or is the trust in one’s own perception. There is no question it is an incomplete perception; as a human, you will not see even a minuscule fraction of the totality of what’s out there, or that of your self. But it is still your perception. It is your link to your power. It is the basis for all growth, for if you rely on someone else’s eyes and intuition, you are not living your own life, discovering your own power, but are being a guinea pig for other’s experiments”

politics/current events

Jason Hughey presents The Assasination of Benazir Bhutto posted at Logical Consistency, saying, “Pakistan is emerging as a crisis. Read how the assassination of opposition leader, Bhutto, represents more serious and deadly problems, not only for Pakistan, but for the world.”

Sholom Anarchy presents Stumping for Ron Paul again posted at Anarcho-Judaism.

James K. Bashkin presents Kicked out of Cuba! “When crime fiction is a crime” by K Henkel: Fact and Fiction collide, with serious consequences. posted at Nearly nothing but novels, saying, “The fragility of free speech is indicated by this report of a Cuban writer’s exile in Germany.”

Madeleine Begun Kane presents Dear Editor: Enough With The Polls, Already! posted at Mad Kane’s Political Madness.

humor

Jason Mueller presents Beer, Bear, Body Bag: The Inspirational Story of What Not to Feed Yogi posted at Over Ten Years Serving the Reading Public.

contests

Susan presents New Podcast Documentary Contest posted at The Innovative Traveler.

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of
writers from across the blogosphere
using our
carnival submission form.
Past posts and future hosts can be found on our

blog carnival index page.

Technorati tags:

writers from across the blogosphere, blog carnival.

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Supporting the WGA

As many know, the Writers Guild of America is on strike. You can show your support for the WGA, regardless of whether or not you are a member. These snazzy widgets are available at http://www.wga.org and http://www.unitedhollywood.blogspot.com. Put them on your blog, web page, etc. You can also find out other ways to show support for the WGA by visiting the above sites.

EDIT: Here are some more sites for information and widgets, courtesy of Alexandra Sokoloff (Thanks!):

http://community.livejournal.com/wga_icons/

http://community.livejournal.com/wga_supporters/

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/kullervo/wgamyspace.jpg

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Thomas F. Monteleone Keynote Speaker at the Maryland Writers’ Association 20th Anniversary Conference – Press Release

Looks like another great author is lined up for the MWA 20th Anniversary Conference!

MARYLAND WRITERS’ ASSOCIATION PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Eric D. Goodman, MWA Public Relations Director

DATE: November 2, 2007

EMAIL: edgewriter @ gmail.com

MONTELEONE KEYNOTES MARYLAND WRITERS’ CONFERENCE

Maryland author Thomas F. Monteleone is confirmed as the keynote speaker for the Maryland Writers’ Association 20th Anniversary Conference.

The Conference, which draws writers from across the state of Maryland and beyond, takes place on Saturday, May 3, 2008 from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Maritime Institute of Technology conference center. The address is 692 Maritime Boulevard, Linthicum Heights, MD 21090.

Thomas F. Monteleone has been a professional writer since 1972, and is four-time winner of the Bram Stoker Award. He has published more than 100 short stories in numerous magazines and anthologies. His stories have been nominated for many awards, and have appeared in a number of best-of-the-year compilations.

He has written thirty-six books, including The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Writing a Novel.

Monteleone is one of many successful authors presenting an array of literary topics at the day-long conference.

Join local experts and established writers for an opportunity to hone your craft in sessions led by established authors, instructors, and experts. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, there’s plenty for you at the conference. Come explore the many worlds of writing.

Register now to take advantage of our EARLY BIRD SPECIAL — now through December 31!

To register, or for more information, visit the conference website.

http://www.marylandwriters.org/conferences.html

Note to Editors: Thomas F. Monteleone is available for interview. If you would like to write a story about the conference and set up an interview with Mr. Monteleone, please contact the Conference Coordinator, Denise Camacho, at dbcamacho@hotmail.com.

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The Writers’ Block is a finalist in the 2007 Weblog Awards

I recently found out that our blog was nominated for Best Literature Blog (http://2007.weblogawards.org/polls/best-literature-blog-1.php) and is now one of the finalists in that category for the 2007 Weblog Awards! Thanks so much for the nomination! You can cast your vote and find out more about the awards and all of the finalists in the various categories by visiting http://2007.weblogawards.org. Voting ends on November 8, 2007.

Here is the list of finalists in the Best Literature Blog category:

Finalist Links

Pepys’ Diary
Avon Romance Blog
Maud Newton
Classical Bookworm
Writer’s Block
Erik Hare
Diary of a Heretic
Bookgasm
Neil Gaiman’s journal
McSweeney’s

Also, www.jonswift.blogspot.com is a finalist in the Funniest Blog category. Some of you may remember that “Jon Swift” won The Writers’ Block contest a while back. He lists various categories on his blog as well. Check out the “Jon Swift” blog and cast you vote.

Here are the other finalists in that category:

Jon Swift
Boobs, Injuries and Dr. Pepper
DUmmie FUnnies
Sadly, No!
The Lawsons Do Dallas!
i am bossy
Laurie Kendrick
The Nose On Your Face
The Sneeze
The Hatemonger’s Quarterly

Thanks again!

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Writers from across the blogosphere – The Writers’ Block carnival

Welcome to the November 5, 2007 edition of writers from across the blogosphere. Enjoy some new book reviews, interviews, politics and much more!

Phil B. presents Recycle Christmas Trees « Phil for Humanity posted at Phil for Humanity, saying, “It is almost that time of year again when we buy a new Christmas tree. Are you going to just throw it away when done with it?”

fabulousana presents Eclectic Closet : Pride And Prejudice posted at eclectic-closet.

articles

Roger presents Racism, Beyonce, political convenience, and shitty pre-war coverage of Iran posted at mask of anarchy, saying, “This world is increasingly run and reported on by people eager to put square pegs into round bones.”

GrrlScientist presents To The Creationists: Even WORDS Evolve! posted at Living the Scientific Life, saying, “[This link is about some new linguistics data — which may or may not be appropriate for your carnival]
Or; How ‘stode’ became ‘studied’. This piece explores the rate of evolutionary change in languages and finds that these rates of change are similar to the evolutionary rate of genes.”

Tiffany Colter presents Is Fear Blocking you? posted at Writing Career Coach.

Sagar presents The Digg Toolbox: 70+ Digg-related Scripts, Tools, and Tutorials posted at Virtual Hosting.

blogs

GrrlScientist presents Schemochromes: The Physics of Structural Plumage Colors posted at Living the Scientific Life, saying, “The physics of why blue feathers are .. well, blue in color.”

book reviews

Mike Bergin presents Soaring with Fidel posted at 10,000 Birds, saying, “Here’s my review of Soaring with Fidel with a response from the author! Thanks.”

James K. Bashkin presents A day without murder; reviews of Chekhov and David Lodge’s Author, Author posted at Nearly nothing but novels, saying, “My impressions of fiction, including crime fiction. To quote from my own writing on crimespace.com, “Crime fiction is such a pleasure, the psychology of this sometimes troubles me (but I know I can quit whenever I want to).” So today I prove that I really can quit whenever I want to. Today is a day for other types of fiction.”

SJ Yee presents The FAQ Book on Public Speaking posted at Personal Development for the Book Smart.

GrrlScientist presents Father Knows Less posted at Living the Scientific Life, saying, “The new book by Wendell Jamieson, is a father’s delightful and interesting quest to find the answers to his young son’s questions. [book review]”

GrrlScientist presents Cloning: A Beginner’s Guide posted at Living the Scientific Life, saying, “by Aaron Levine, is one of the best-written books I’ve ever read about the history, process and ethics of cloning technology and stem cell research. Highly recommended. [book review]”

James DeLelys presents WORDS A Prophecy Fulfilled | New Scriptures: Spiritual Growth, Healing, Help and Comfort posted at New Books, saying, “Had to share this book with you entitled WORDS A Prophecy Fulfilled. A great book that envokes very deep thought. Yet, it is simply written with a portion of its’ contents written in story form. This book may be read over and over again… always something new is found within its’ pages; Magical!”

Stirling Newberry presents The Continuing Tales of Captain Carnage posted at The Agonist, saying, “Michio Kakutani’s New York Times review of Norman Podhoretz’s book, “World War IV: The Long Struggle Against Islamofascism,” is the nicest review of mindless bellicosity you are ever going to read in English.”

GrrlScientist presents Bait and Switch posted at Living the Scientific Life, saying, “Inspired by the book by Barbara Ehrenreich, which describes the tribulations faced by job seeking white-collar workers who are “in transition”, I expound upon these challenges while also reviewing this book.”

interviews

Jeanie Marshall presents Jeanie Marshall Interviews Priscilla Palmer, Creator of the Personal Development List posted at JMviews Meditation and Empowerment, saying, “Priscilla Palmer began the Personal Development List of Blogs, which has been circulating the Internet. To thank her, I interviewed her for my blog.”

Linda Jo Martin presents Writing Festival Friday #5 – Featuring Mel Trent posted at Linda Jo Martin.

life

Priya Darshini Shivakumar presents Memoirs of Bygone New Year Eves posted at A screenful of thoughts, saying, “Nostalgia of bygone happy times”

John Crenshaw presents Are You Proactive or Reactive? posted at Dominate Your Life, saying, “You can learn a lot about how to be successful in life and business by studying what works for people in really intense situations. Am I ever going to be so bombarded with information that I’m incapable of processing it all?”

politics/current events

Roger presents Chilling: mass slaughter, live cremations & Burma?s last blogger posted at typing is not activism…., saying, “This is very much a summary of some of the leading edge coverage of Burma, but what I have found on these sources has not yet been widely reported, and I find both this information and the relative silence from world media chilling and sickening.”

phil F. presents SUNDAY FEATURE: Is Elizabeth Edwards Throwing a Wrench in the Campaign? posted at e-news daily.

writing

Susan Johnston presents 5 Hints for Writing Headlines posted at The Urban Muse.

InterfaceLeader presents Dealing with Writer’s Block posted at Words Words Words, saying, “Some tips on dealing with writer’s block.”

Rebecca Wallace-Segall presents When one boy plays video games… he finds inspiration posted at a community of young writers in new york city.

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of
writers from across the blogosphere
using our
carnival submission form.
Past posts and future hosts can be found on our

blog carnival index page.

Technorati tags:

writers from across the blogosphere, blog carnival.

Read Full Post »

By the by, here’s a printed byline for ya…

There’s something about seeing your work in print that screams, “You’re a writer!!!”

I know that ezines and podcasts are the wave of the future in the writing world. There are hundreds of websites that have become literary powerhouses. It’s wonderful to be published by them–because they’re easily accessible; in some cases, their stories are free to view. It’s an good way to break into a market when you don’t have any publishing credits to your name.

And yet…and yet…

There’s something strangely tangible in picking up a literary zine and seeing your name printed on it. You can physically touch it, trace the letters of your name with your fingertips. Open it up and see the words you slaved over for several months bonded on glossy, smooth paper. It even smells real.

This month, I got a story printed for the first time. On paper. In ink. And it’s a mind-blowing experience, let me tell you.

I read somewhere that it’s important to get your stories out not only in print, but also on ezines too. Both have their place in the literary world. Both have their own particular tastes and their own sets of readers. A writer needs to learn how to cater to both groups. Still, I think there’s something about a printed story that pounds it into a head that you’ve broken into the writing business. You can hold it directly in your hands. If the power goes off and you can’t access the Internet, it will still be there. You can take it and show it to that uncle who always scoffed at you and shove it into his beady little eyes. “See? I told you I can write!” You know, that uncle who boasts about getting online every night, when actually he means line-dancing at Murray’s. Yes, that uncle.

So if you want to read my story, head on over to Kaleidotrope and purchase Volume #3. It’s only 4 bucks: the same cost as a cup of coffee (in some cases, even less). Then curl up at your favorite coffeeshop/library/park bench/closet in the basement that you go to escape the kids/toilet and give it a read. Can’t do that with a computer…unless you got one of those fancy phone…and even then, you’d probably have to squint…

Me? I’m going to go smell my name again.

Ahhhhhh. Heaven.

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Writers from across the blogosphere – The Writers’ Block carnival

Welcome to the September 30, 2007 edition of writers from across the blogosphere!

Hungry Writer presents R-E-S-P-E-C-T posted at Writing For Food.

‘Colorado’ Gumi presents Chap. 1 – ‘Proto-Gin’ posted at The History of Gin, saying, “This Blogger, who ‘claims’ not to be a famous writer, says it’s a biography of a young woman in an existential
world. . .but aren’t ALL Blogs about that???”

Roseate presents Review My Blog For TWO Link Backs posted at Make Money Online At Roseate Marketing Tips.

Eldon Sarte presents Mobile Writers: Do You Really Need a Laptop? posted at Wordpreneur.com.

Salman Siddiqui presents Is Increased Usage Of Computers Isolating People? The Verdict! posted at CompuWorld.

Michael presents Upon Meeting The 100% Perfect Moncton Girl posted at project hitchhiker.

Dannie Phiri presents Daniso Mapiri technotalks…sort of – Daniso’s Rants, Mumbles and Whatevers posted at Daniso Mapiri technotalks…sort of.

articles

Lucynda Riley presents El Dorado posted at The Traveling Man.

FitBuff presents How to Speed Up Your Metabolism posted at FitBuff.com’s Total Mind and Body Fitness Blog, saying, “A slow metabolism can do more than just add inches to your waistline. It can increase overall lethargy in your body, possibly leading to depression and other health-related problems.

But, there’s good news: There ARE ways to speed up your metabolic rate for increased energy, fitness, and overall health!”

Admin presents Anything Goes & General News: Britney Spears in the Bathroom posted at Anything Goes & General News, saying, “What really went down when Britney Spears asked a photographer to join her in a restaurant bathroom? It’s widely rumored that she asked for a tampon. According to the story, and it’s simply not true.

Cameras swarmed Spears when she popped into a Quizno’s in Brentwood to use their restroom on Monday afternoon. When she was done using the facilities, she called to a cameramen waiting outside to join her. Adnan, a Finalpixx photographer, taped his closed door exchange with Britney.”

authors

Ashok presents Rethink.: Some Personal Notes re: Shakespeare, Sonnet 18 posted at Rethink., saying, “Why write? Shakespeare gives an ambiguous answer about whether writing enshrines a memory forever in “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day,” I think.”

blogs

Ashok presents Rethink.: What Constitutes Plagiarism Exactly? posted at Rethink., saying, “How should we judge what is plagiarism and what isn’t, and what should guide our sentiments on the matter?”

Elvis D presents Generations posted at 365fiction.

Ant presents Guarantee Your Sites Page Rank posted at The Beef Jerky Blog.

Elvis D presents Forum posted at 365fiction.

Elvis D presents Dirty Old Man posted at 365fiction.

Eric Michael Johnson presents The Feeling of What Happens posted at The Primate Diaries.

Phil B. presents Blog Carnivals « Phil for Humanity posted at Phil for Humanity, saying, “Do you want to drive more traffic to your blog? Well, I have a really.. REALLY easy way. And no, this is not a gimmick.”

Christi presents Analysis of a Blog Reader posted at Blogging Writer.

Terry Dean presents Finding Your Unique Ability posted at Integrity Business Blog by Terry Dean.

Michael Fowke presents Deranged bankers in the City of London posted at Money is the way, saying, “A blog post from the Arthur Rimbaud of finance.”

book reviews

GrrlScientist presents Why Don’t Woodpeckers Get Headaches? posted at Living the Scientific Life, saying, “by Mike O’Connor, this delightful little book answers a whole flock of offbeat questions posed by people who love birds.”

GrrlScientist presents Peterson Reference Guides: Gulls of the Americas posted at Living the Scientific Life, saying, “by Steve N. G. Howell and Jon Dunn, this is the definitive reference work that teaches the art and skill of identifying gull species that occur throughout the Americas.”

GrrlScientist presents The Canon: A Whirligig Tour of the Beautiful Basics of Science posted at Living the Scientific Life, saying, “a review of the book by Natalie Angier. This book explores the basics of all the sciences from to physics to cosmology.”

GrrlScientist presents The Body Has a Mind of Its Own posted at Living the Scientific Life, saying, “A review of the book by Sandra Blakeslee and Matthew Blakeslee, that explores the fascinating concept of body maps; the relationship between mind, body and environment.”

books

Peter N. Jones presents Marketing Your Book DeMystified: New Book Explains All posted at Great New Books that Are a Must Read.

Scott H presents Top Ten Most Popular Books in College posted at College and Finance.

interviews

Linda Martin presents Writing Festival Friday #2 – Featuring Donna Alice Patton posted at Linda Jo Martin.

life

Dawn Xiana Moon presents Kid-Friendly Food posted at Dawn Xiana Moon: Randomness.

Cheryl Snyder Taragin presents Goatse is a Hoax and Other Internet Disinformation posted at The Spewker, saying, “I find the whole concept of Internet Disinformation amusing. So easy to check facts, and yet, people don’t. Bloggers should have a moral code of ethics.”

Warren Wong presents Why You Should Show Appreciation posted at Personal Development for INTJs, saying, “Why you should show appreciation for the little things people do and how to go about doing it.”

philosophy

Sonia Simone presents Make something for its own sake posted at remarkable communication, saying, “A creative mindset—the mindset that makes a thing because you want that thing to exist—is more likely to make something useful and exciting. Look for that feeling—”I want it because I want it.” See if you can find something juicy and real there.”

politics/current events

Sheppard Salter presents Does T.V. Make You ?Soft In The Head?? posted at salterblog.com.

Alex Landis presents Cyber Bias: The Threat of a Two-Tiered Internet posted at AlexLandis.com, saying, “A two-tiered internet is getting closer and threatens the network neutrality principle, and freedom of speech on the internet itself.”

publishing

Madeleine Begun Kane presents Fantasy Dear Editor Letter posted at Mad Kane’s Humor Blog.

writing

Elvis D presents Interview posted at 365fiction.

Elvis D presents Uprising posted at 365fiction.

Charlotte Rains Dixon presents LA: It’s a Different Writing World posted at Word Strumpet, saying, “Visit my blog for all kinds of information and commentary on writing fiction, articles, SEO copy, novels, creativity and journaling, plus books and authors.”

Terry Dean presents 25 Ways to Increase Conversion posted at Integrity Business Blog by Terry Dean.

Terry Dean presents 20 Ways to Add Value to Your Products and Services posted at Integrity Business Blog by Terry Dean.

Rhonda Leigh Jones presents Writing Foreplay Relieves Writer’s Block posted at Rhonda Leigh Jones.

Elvis D presents Paparazzi Fodder posted at 365fiction.

Matthew Cory presents Free Novel; Short Stories Anyways; I?m Done posted at Chocolate For Dogs, saying, “I’m not completely sure if this is appropriate or not; a friend of mine suggested I submit to you. I’m actually trying to submit my novel, if possible (though I’d ‘settle’ for the blog in general). Please contact me with any questions or recommendations, and I apologize if this is a little out of place.”

Elvis D presents Speedy Date posted at 365fiction.

Tim King presents Episode 1: How to Stay Out of Jail in One Easy Lesson, Chapter 1 | The Conscience of Abe’s Turn posted at The Conscience of Abe’s Turn, saying, “The first part in a new online drama serial, The Conscience of Abe’s Turn. It’s about a group of friends and civil rights activists who live in the fictional town of Abe’s Turn. Abe’s Turn needs a conscience.”

sethpollins presents The Queen Bully of Garlic posted at FoodVibe.

Doris Chua presents The Sebel Suites, Auckland posted at Doris on Travels.

Mike White presents Effective Communication Skills posted at Life According to Mike White, saying, “Tips on effective communication and presentation skills”

Elvis D presents A Director?s Life posted at 365fiction.

Elvis D presents An Actor?s Life posted at 365fiction.

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A sad month for the fantasy world indeed (RIP Robert Jordan)

From CNN: http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/books/09/17/obit.jordan.ap/index.html?iref=newssearch

“‘Wheel of Time’ author dead at 58

CHARLESTON, South Carolina (AP) — Author Robert Jordan, whose “Wheel of Time” series of fantasy novels sold millions of copies, has died of a rare blood disease, his aide said Monday. He was 58.

Jordan, whose real name was James Oliver Rigney Jr., died Sunday at the Medical University of South Carolina of complications from primary amyloidosis with cardiomyopathy, his personal assistant, Maria Simons, said. The disease attacks the body’s major organs; in Jordan’s case, it caused the walls of his heart to thicken.

He wrote a trilogy of historical novels set in Charleston under the pen name Reagan O’Neal in the early 1980s. Then he turned his attention to fantasy and the first volume in his Wheel of Time epic, “The Eye of the World,” was published in 1990 under the name Robert Jordan.

Jordan’s books tells of Rand al’Thor, who is destined to become the champion who will battle ultimate evil in a mythical land.

Book 11, “Knife of Dreams,” came out in 2005; there was also a prequel, “New Spring: The Novel,” in 2004. The other titles in the series include “The Great Hunt,” “Lord of Chaos” and “The Path of Daggers.” Jordan was working on a 12th volume at the time of his death, Simons said.

He is survived by his wife, Harriet McDougal Rigney.”

———————–

I would count Robert Jordan as one of the top fantasy authors who got me into writing in the first place. Many criticize that his epic style of writing went overly long–and I myself only got as far as book six of his “WOT” series. But it still is sad to hear he passed away just as he was working on the last book.

This, coupled with Madeline L’engle’s death a week ago, is truly shaping to be a sad month for the fantasy world indeed.

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