- Winter Travel Safety with Baby
Sudden snow storms, blizzards, and sleet are some of the hazards you might face when traveling during the winter months. People who live in areas prone to winter weather are used to the harsh conditions. But those of use who do not live in these locations need to take precautions when traveling there. Especially when traveling with children. - Take a Bite Out of Teething
New parents tend to worry about everything. Any change in their child's behavior can be enough to send them running to the emergency room. Just imagine how scary it would be if the baby was fussy, crying all the time, and chewing on his own hand. Sounds scary, but not to worry. These are all signs of teething and mean your baby is growing up. - Writing a Different Kind of Mystery
Have you ever taking part in a scavenger hunt? Racing against your friends to find all of the items on your list was exhilarating. Bringing that type of exhilaration into your writing can be accomplished with a hidden item type of mystery. Think of a hidden item mystery as a treasure map. You have a starting point, with twists and turns that take you through the different places you have to go until you find the treasure. - How to Avoid Work-From-Home Scams
A disturbing trend is emerging as more moms are making the decision to stay home and raise their children. Some of these moms are falling prey to work-from-home scams. Stay-at-home-moms are particularly vulnerable to these "get rich quick" schemes. - Choosing The Perfect Rat For Your Family
A good pet to consider is a rat. Rats make an excellent first pet for young children. They also are wonderful if you live in an apartment or small house, since they do not require a lot of space. If you decide on a rat as a pet you will want to find one that is healthy and friendly. - An Active Rat is a Happy Rat
Owning a rat is more than just making sure they have food, water and a clean cage. It is also making sure they are active and have enough toys to play with to keep their bodies and minds active and keep them healthy. - Real-Life Drama Writing
Writing drama stories can be difficult at times. There are days, even weeks, when our lives are mundane or down right boring. It can really put a crimp in your writing flow. Yet, drama is all around us. It is hiding just beneath the surface, waiting to spring out and grab us. - 8 Steps for Dealing with a Slow Editor
You finished your manuscript up, researched your markets, picked one that is looking for your kind of work and sent it off. You list your submission on your tracker sheet and put down how long the editor takes to respond. So you wait for the envelope in the mail. And before you know it, the time frame for his response has come and gone, and still no reply. Now what do you do? - 8 Tips for Writing Flash Fiction
What is flash fiction? Depends on who you ask. Some feel a story is flash fiction if it is under 1000 words. Others feel it must be under 500 words to be in that category. Regardless of which one you believe, flash fiction is fun to write. - 8 Tips for Keeping Your Current Customers Happy
Every business owner knows without their customers they do not have a business. Finding customers is only the first step in running a business. Keeping them for the long haul is the most important thing a business needs to do. - Helping Your Child Deal with Separation Anxiety
Dropping your child off at day care can be an emotional event, especially when you first go back to work after your child's birth. Being away from him, even for a short while, is heartbreaking to a new parent. It is very hard to leave your baby every day. Sometime between the ages of 8 months and 14 months your child will start to become away of when you are not there. - Finding the Right Day Care Provider
When you first bring your baby home you are so busy learning how to take care of your child you think of nothing else. Everything is new and exciting. As you adjust to your new routine your thoughts will start to drift to going back to work. But who will you get to watch your precious baby? - 5 Tips to a Smoother Wedding Day
Every bride wants a magical day she can remember for the rest of her life. A fairy-tale wedding to show the love she feels for her husband-to-be. But that kind of magic does not just happen. It takes organization and planning. - Finding Prompts to Inspire Your Stories
Sometimes a story idea just hits a writer. An idea pops into your mind and you are off and writing. Other times, you are not so lucky. You sit at your desk and wonder what you will write today. Prompts are a wonderful way to jumpstart your writing. You may be wondering where you can find your own muse-inspiring writing prompts in the real-world. - 8 Tips to Keep Your Business Costs Down
Every business owner wants to make money. That is why they opened their doors in the first place. No matter what kind of business they have, there are going to be costs involved in running it and brining in clients. - Planning Your Wedding Rehearsal
Every bride wants the perfect wedding; one to remember fondly all of her life. But even when planned to the smallest detail, your wedding party needs to practice what they are supposed to do. That is why you have a wedding rehearsal. - Learning to Walk Fido
Owning a dog is more than just feeding and giving water to your pet. You also need to give your new found friend love, comfort and exercise. Taking care of your dog's nutritional needs is important, but you should also take care of his physical needs. Daily exercise is essential to help maintain your pet's health and happiness. - Spicing Up Your Mystery Story
Mystery stories sometimes are a dime a dozen, often following the same basic outline: the murder, discovery of the body, clues found, and killer caught. The stories are usually told in third or first person point of view, with one character as the teller. But with a little creativity, you can spice up your mystery into something everyone will want to read. - Learning to Bathe and Groom Fido
He is your friend, confidant and greatest supporter. No matter how the world treats you, he is there to kiss your tears away. Well, lick them away at least. He is your dog and deserves to be treated well. Dogs love the outdoors, but being outside means dirt and smells. Rolling around in the grass can make your friend smell less than fresh and need a good bath and grooming session. - What is in a Story Title? Everything!
When an idea hits a writer it can take control of their thoughts until the tale is finished. Sometimes the title for your story is what gets you started writing. Most times, you do not know what your story is going to be called until after you are finished. Occasionally, you will have trouble coming up with a title. This article is for those times. - How to Deal with Writing Deadlines
If you write for fun, you may never have to worry about deadlines. You can write for the joy it gives you. But if you want to write for publication, deadlines will be a major part of your writing career. Anywhere you look in the writing world you will find a deadline. Contests have them, magazines have them and even fellow writers have them. Learning to deal with deadlines will help you use your time better. - 8 Ways to Get Along with Your Editor
Every writer has heard horror stories about evil editors who relish tormenting hard working writers. While there are some editors who are like this, the majority are hard working people who just want to find the best works to put in their publications. The way you treat an editor will dictate your working relationship. - Writing Your Own Compelling Author's Biography
Most publications today want an author's biography, called a bio, when they accept a writer's work. Readers love to learn a little bit about the person who wrote a story or poem they enjoyed reading. It is a way for the reader to feel close to the writer. Creating an author's bio your readers will love reading can be as trying as writing your story. You want to entertain with your bio and tell a bit about yourself as well. - Submission Etiquette for New Writers
One of the goals of writing is to get your work published. It is the ultimate proof your writing ability. It takes some writers years to reach the point where they are secure enough to seek publication. When you feel ready to start submitting your work, you want to be sure you are professional. Here are some things to keep in mind when dealing with the publishing world. - How to Find Enough Time to Write?
Every writer wants to find more time to write. A few stolen moments to put words to paper and get your tales out of your head. The world is so hectic today and time is a hot commodity for most people. Writers are no exception. We write in the early morning hours, during breaks at work, and even before we go to bed. Every moment we can find to write is wonderful. - What is your Character's Name
Writers want to create memorable stories, with characters readers will relate to and care about. We strive to make our characters come alive and stand out from characters in other stories. One of the things you can do as a writer to make your characters be remembered is to give them a name that will stick in your reader's mind. But how do you do that? - Keeping Your Reader on the Edge of Their Seat
Mystery stories aren't just tales of who did what to whom. They are a collection of suspenseful scenes that lead the reader through a maze of events until the final curtain is drawn. What makes a great mystery is the writer's ability to keep the reader clutching their book until the last page is turned. - For a Beagle's Love
Soft floppy ears, brown soulful eyes, and a nose for food. What kind of animal does this describe? Why, a Beagle, of course. I have had many dogs in my life, but this was my first Beagle. After I brought him home I found I had a lot of research to do to understand the way a Beagle thinks. They are a very unique type of dog. - What Does the New Year Mean to a Writer?
January 1st, the first day of a new year. A new beginning and a chance to make good on all those resolutions you failed to follow through with last year. Writers have a slightly different outlook on their New Year's resolutions. Sure they have some of the normal ones, but they also have writing-related desires and the one that tops most writers' list every year is to become a better writer. - Getting Your Manuscript There In One Piece
You have worked hard writing your novel. Months or years of painstaking work, all culminating into a polish piece of prose. You sent out your query letters, complete with synopsis and sample chapters. Finally, one of the editors asked to see the entire book. Now what? - Surviving Baby's First Birthday Party
The entrainment has been booked, caterer has the menu set and guests are on their way. Everything is ready for baby's first birthday party.Hold it a minute, you say. Did she just say baby's first birthday party? Unfortunately, I did. - Keeping Fido Warm this Winter
The weather outside is frightful. Winter winds are blowing hard this year and your four-legged friend still needs to go outside to take care of his business. How can you keep him warm when he's got to be out in the cold? - Finding and Hiring the Perfect Wedding Photographer
You have spent a lot of time and money planning your special day. You have taken great pride in the kind of wedding you are going to have. One thing you will want is your special day recorded for all time. Pictures of your wedding and reception are something you will treasure for the rest of your life. You want someone taking those pictures who know what they are doing, and how to get the memorable shots. - 6 Ways to Fail as a Business Manager
You have worked hard during your career, proving yourself to the powers-to-be again and again. Now your hard work has paid off with a promotion to manager. You look forward to taking on your new position. - 8 Easy Ways to Make Extra Money by Starting a Part-Time Business
Everyone wants to make a little extra money. Short of taking on a second job, most people are not sure how to do this. Starting a part-time business from your home is fairly easy. It takes some planning, money and a desire to make it work. - Finding and Hiring the Perfect Wedding Caterer
Planning a wedding reception can be difficult. There are so many decisions to make and details to arrange. One of the most important, and potentially expensive, is the caterer. Whether you are planning a fancy sit-down dinner or just appetizers, finding the right caterer is essential to a wonderful reception. - Creative Play for Babies - 7 to 12 Months
As any parent can tell you, babies grow at a rapid pace. Their first year of life is spent discovering and learning about the world around them. They learn to do so much during this first year; from rolling over and sitting to crawling and walking. So many new and wonderful connections are made during the first year. - Critiquing Fiction - Or How to Help Without Being Mean
You have let a good friend read your latest story. They return it with nothing but good things to say. Does this mean your work is ready for an editor to read? Probably not. What a writer needs is a good critique of their writing. - Revising Your Short Story - 8 Tips for Polishing Your Prose
You've spent long hours writing your story. You have made sure each character has been fleshed out, the plot is to die for, and the ending is breathtaking. Now, you're ready to start submitting your piece, right? Wrong. - It Really Happened to a Friend of a Friend!
"Where do you get your story ideas from?" Every writer, famous or not, has been asked that question at lease once. Most of the time, the answer is "they just come to me." But what about the times ideas don't just come to us? - Understanding Your Character's Motivations
Writing a mystery story is like trying to make the perfect maze. You want your reader to be surprised at the end. But you also want to be sure your reader isn't so frustrated while reading that they put the story down and never finish it. Finding the perfect balance between surprise and frustration is the trick to writing a great mystery. - Are You Ready to Write 50,000 Words?
November is the national novel writing month. NaNoWriMo is the ultimate writing challenge. Write 50,000 words in 30 days. Piece of cake, you say. But are you really ready? Before you make that kind of commitment, here are some things to do to help you prepare. - Leaving on a Jet Plane - With Children
A trip of a lifetime. Traveling overseas to a foreign land, visiting a new place and sampling different foods. Sounds like a heavenly vacation, right? Well, it might not be heavenly if you're a child. How can you make your child's trip easier and fun? - Halloween Safety for New Parents
Baby's first Halloween is a special time for new parents. Choosing the perfect costume, taking pictures and going trick or treating for the first time are things new parents look forward to. - Writing While Your Heart is Breaking
Your heart is breaking. Love has left your life, or someone you love has become ill or died. How can you possibly think about writing at a time like that? - Help for Writer's Stress - 6 Tips to De-Stress Your Life
You look at yourself in the mirror and ask "Is that vein supposed to throb like that?" In the back of your mind, you're pretty sure it isn't supposed to. Stress hits everyone at some point in their lives. But it seems to hit writers more often. What are good ways to de-stress your life? - The Fight of Your Life - Writing Realistic Fight Scenes
I love a good fight scene. Nothing gets the adrenalin rushing better than the hero and villain battling for the prize. Every move, every punch thrown and blocked, can be a writer's nightmare. What are some of the things to pay attention to when writing an action scene? - The Cure for TMS - 3 Tips to Get Your Muse Back
You say you have TMS - Tired Muse Syndrome? Well, cheer up, because help is one the way. You, yes, YOU can free your muse in easy, fun steps in the privacy of your own home. - Editing, Army Brat Style
Listen up, Creative Soldiers! My name is Staff Sergeant Arkin. While you are here I will try to give you the information you’ll need to turn your rough draft into polished prose. - Who Should Tell Your Story And How?
You have a story idea in your head; the characters are forming and the plot's developing. But who is going to tell your tale? Sometimes this is an easy question because the character dictates it to you. But sometimes it isn't so simple. - Creative Job Choices - 5 Jobs to Consider When Job Hunting
Creative people are often forced into a rut when it comes to their careers. They tend to take jobs that are stifling and routine, instead of jobs they can blossom in. They think only in terms of finding a job that can support them. It doesn't have to be like that. - Writing a Pre-Wedding Journal
The love of your life just asked you to marry him. Excitement rushes through you as you say yes. He slips the ring on your finger and the two of you begin planning your special day. You'll want to remember this time for the rest of your life. But how do you do that? - Road Trip with Fido - 11 Tips for a Fun Trip
Road trips are fun and exciting. Adventuring down the open highway can be a wonderful way to see the country and spend time with your family. Don't forget about Fido when it comes time for your trip. - Holding Out for a Hero - How to Write a Believable Hero
The music builds, the hero's fate seems set in stone, and the villain is on the verge of winning. Then the hero breaks free, battles the villain's henchmen and stops the evil plot, thus saving the world. - Brainstorming, Mystery Writing Style
You have the germ of an idea, a story to write. But you aren't sure how to go about fleshing it out. How do you get your hero out of your mind and onto paper, solving the mystery you've come up with? - Writer's Block - 10 Tips to Stay on the Page
You're sitting at your desk, staring at a blank piece of paper. You want to write, but your brain refuses to work. You have no idea what your characters do next and they refuse to tell you. They're mad, you see, because you've neglected them for months. - A Bridal Survival Kit
Your big day has arrived. You are getting ready and suddenly trouble happens. You develop a run in your pantyhose. What do you do? - Personal Safety at Work
Working today is much different than 50 years ago. What was once unheard of is now commonplace among today's office workers. Unfortunately, being safe on the job has also changed, but not for the better. - Keeping Fido Safe During the Holidays
The holidays are a time of family, friends and fun. Regardless of your beliefs, the holidays are a special time of the year. With the excitement of seeing old friends and planning activities, it's easy to lose track of the dangers lurking in holiday decorations and foods for your furry friends. - Finding Fido
- Peanuts - Friend or Foe?
- Avoiding Writing Scams!
- A Mystery Novel Recipe
Writing a mystery novel is in many ways the same as writing other genres. You have to come up with a plot, setting and characters. But a mystery novel has other ingredients necessary to make it a great read. Want to know more, take a peek inside. - Cleaning Off Your Desk - 3 Steps to a More Organized You
Life rushes towards us at neck-breaking speeds, rarely slowing long enough for us to catch our breath. It makes keeping track of our professional and personal lives difficult at best, impossible at worst. It is even harder when you're disorganized. But don't worry, help is on the way. - Games to Play at a Wedding Shower
Your best friend is getting married and you've planned a wonderful wedding shower for her. But now you're wondering what your guests will be doing for the two and a half hours they'll be at the shower? - Plan a Wedding Shower without Breaking the Bank
Your best friend is getting married. She's excited, you're excited. And you want to send her off with a big bang. But you don't have a lot of money to spend. - Working From Home Even With the Kids Around
How to manage working from home and your children. Ways to get the job done without alienating your children. - One Writer's Writing Journal
Every writer keeps some kind of writing journal. Here is an example of the writing journals I keep, and why. - Rejection Letters - 8 Tips to Survive Getting One
Every writer gets rejections for their submission. But the good writers know how to survive those rejections. - Rats as Pets - 5 Myths Busted
Rats have a bad reputation. History and Hollywood have depicted them as horrible creatures. But rats are affectionate and make wonderful pets. Why not find out a little more about them, before making a decision? - Dog Park Etiquette
You've heard about dog parks from your friends, family and even complete strangers. But are you ready to go to one with your four-legged friend?
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