Pens & Pals

5 Successful Tips for Tourism Marketing

2012-01-23T20:43:00.000-08:00

Are you effectively marketing tourism in your area for long-term benefits? The tourism industry contains an eclectic mix of innovative marketing concepts for the historic, amusement, tropical, entertainment and seasonal destinations. For a destination like Las Vegas, the visitor will expect everything to be grandiose and over the top. Competition is fierce and this is not the place for the faint of heart or timid marketer. Las Vegas is a classic example of a small segment of the city bumping up their assets for the tourism industry. From the hundreds of wedding chapels within hotels and scattered throughout the city, to the entertainment, casinos, local transit system, convention venues and the availability of good food, the Las Vegas flavor and showmanship appeals to our precarious appetite.

No matter where a traveler goes, once they Read More...

Happy Birthday Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

2012-01-15T16:25:00.000-08:00

1929-1968

“Any real change in the status quo depends on continued creative action to sharpen the conscience of the nation and establish a climate in which even the most recalcitrant elements are forced to admit that change is necessary.”

- Martin Luther King, Jr.

March 14, 1965

Celebrating a legend of our time. Thank you and Happy Birthday Dr. King!

Texting: Increasing the Risk of Educational and Employment Inadequacy?

2012-01-14T12:10:00.000-08:00

Texting is undoubtedly a popular form of modern communication. Could the overuse or overindulgence of texting however, create a problem for employment or educational imbalance? Beyond traditional letter writing, telephone conversations, stenography or Morse code, the sophistication of communicating in all realms of society is mind-boggling. While every generation has its own slang or colloquial speech, we must be cognizant of the appropriate dialogue to use with specific applications.

There is increased conversation and debate about the perils of texting. Many kids in particular, become more dependent on the speed, language and convenience of texting. Oftentimes, spelling is Read more...

January Book and Poetry Festivals

2012-01-01T14:55:00.000-08:00

(Supplied from From Behind The Pen)

January 2012 Poetry Readings and Book Events

For all of you literary enthusiasts, poets and authors, we have a calendar of January Poetry Readings and Book Festivals, Conferences and Seminars, for you to check out in your neighborhood. Now that we are in the midst of 2012, let us reach out and support our fellow authors and poets. Cheers!

January 1, 2012

38th Annual New Year’s Day Marathon Benefit Reading

St. Mark's Church, 131 E. 10th St., New York, NY

212-674-0910
info@poetryproject.org
http://poetryproject.org

January 1, 2012

Meg Kearney & M.L. Liebler

Founder's Room, 400 Heath Street, Chestnut Hill, MA

617-731-7697
mfa@pmc.edu
http://www.pmc.edu/mfa

January 4, 2012

Italian-American Poetry

St. Mark's Church, 131 E. 10th St., New York, NY

212-674-0910
info@poetryproject.org
http://poetryproject.org

January 4, 2012

Steven Huff

Founder's Room, 400 Heath Street, Chestnut Hill, MA

617-731-7697
mfa@pmc.edu
http://www.pmc.edu/mfa

January 5, 2012

Dzvinia Orlowsky

Founder's Room, 400 Heath Street, Chestnut Hill, MA

617-731-7697
mfa@pmc.edu
http://www.pmc.edu/mfa

January 5-8, 2012

30^th Annual Key West Literary Seminar

Key West, Florida

http://www.kwls.org/

January 13, 2012

Tania Runyan

The Art Center of Highland Park,

1957 Sheridan Road - Highland Park, IL

847-681-8595
jennifer@highlandparkpoetry.org
http://www.highlandparkpoetry.org

January 18, 2012

Edmund Berrigan & Tom Savage

St. Mark's Church, 131 E. 10th St., New York, NY

212-674-0910
info@poetryproject.org
http://poetryproject.org

January 19, 2012

Eliza Griswold

Poetry Foundation, 61 West Superior Street, Chicago, IL

312-799-8065
kesch@poetryfoundation.org
http://www.poetryfoundation.org/programs/event/1005

January 21, 2012

18^th Annual Book Mania!

Jensen Beach High School

Jensen Beach, Florida

http://www.martin.fl.us:7778/web_docs/lib/web/files/events/BM2012Program.pdf

January 22-30, 2012

Zora Neale Hurston Festival

The Rise of Community: The Town of Eatonville Models 125 Years of Self-Governance

Eatonville, Florida

http://www.zoranealehurstonfestival.com/

January 27, 2012

Foundry Art Centre Poetry Reading

Foundry Art Centre, 520 North Main Street, St. Charles, MO

636-255-0270
michael@classicsandcheese.com
http://www.foundryartcentre.org/Home.aspx

Social Media: An Option or Necessity for Small Businesses?

2011-12-26T16:52:00.000-08:00

How do you create a buzz about your company in the business community and among potential consumers? What communication avenues are you currently using to grow your business? Are you using or considered adding social media marketing to your advertising portfolio? Albeit a new marketing medium for many companies, social media has been around for a while and is more of a necessity than an option for numerous businesses.

Some small business owners allow the social marketing circuit to intimidate them. Many business owners think social media outlets like Facebook...Read More

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!

2011-12-24T21:25:00.000-08:00

May the joy, peace and spirit of this Christmas remain in your hearts every day of the year. From our family to yours, have a safe and happy holiday season!

Peace & Blessings Always,

Pens & Pals

Thought-Provoking Quote from Garrett Gunderson

2011-12-18T08:07:00.000-08:00

"A resourceful person can see opportunity when others only see obstacles."
— Garrett Gunderson, Entrepreneur and Author

Holiday Gift Guide for Book Lovers

2011-12-09T04:26:00.000-08:00

As we continue to celebrate Read A Book Month during December, we have some more suggestions on gift ideas for the quintessential book lover. Barnes and Noble offer the Best Gifts for Book Lovers in their Book Store section. If you want to know what your friends are reading or ideas on what to read next, check out recommendations and reviews written by other readers on Goodreads.com. You can also get suggestions for books to read from Whichbook.com.

Happy Read A Book Month!

70th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor

2011-12-07T20:20:00.000-08:00

We remember the thousands of people injured and lives lost when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on that fateful day in December 1941. The USS Arizona Memorial on the island of Oahu honors the lives that were lost as a result of this surprise attack. People across the country lower the American flag to half-staff and pay homage to the heroes, survivors and their families who suffered from the scars at the Battle of Pearl Harbor.

The book “Pearl Harbor” by Steven M. Gillon presents details about how the events unfolded in the Pacific, the United States and the rest of the world. President Franklin D. Roosevelt proclaimed December 7, 1941 as "a date which will live in infamy." Roosevelt remained focused in the midst of this awful crisis and rallied the nation as we went to war. Today, we remember the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Pearl Harbor.

Hot Books from Barnes & Noble

2011-12-01T05:16:00.000-08:00

Barnes & Noble released their list of Hot Books: Bestselling and in the News. Are any of these books on your bookshelf or in your e-reader? If not, tell us about what "Hot Books" you are reading!

Happy Thanksgiving Day!

2011-11-24T07:32:00.000-08:00

Regardless of how you choose to spend Thanksgiving Day, be sure to reflect and give thanks for the blessings and people we sometimes take for granted. We can be distracted by all of the advertisements for Black Friday and Cyber Monday specials, but as you comb through the good deals that you want to take advantage of, don’t forget to be thankful in the midst of this holiday rush.

Peace and Blessings on this Thanksgiving Day!

What Can We Do About Functional Illiteracy?

2011-11-20T06:58:00.000-08:00

Image Resource: Charity Education

Illiteracy and functional illiteracy in the United States is at an alarming rate considering the vast amount of educational resources and institutions that we have at our fingertips. What happened and what can we do about this surge of reading, writing and communicating that has plummeted in our high tech society in this country? Before this problem becomes a widespread epidemic we must somehow find a way to chip away at this destructive illiteracy giant.

Read Functional Illiteracy: A Debilitating Deficiency With 7 Common Traits and Reading Enhances Areas That Lack In Functional Illiteracy

November Book Events

2011-11-01T20:23:00.000-07:00

November Book Events

Here is a list of state book fairs, festivals and conferences. Find one in your area and engage in the fellowship, celebration and fun with authors, publishers and fellow readers like you.

November 3-6, 2011
Vegas Valley Book Festival (Arts District)
Las Vegas, Nevada
http://www.artslasvegas.org/vvbf/

November 5, 2011
15th Rochester Children’s Book Festival
Monroe Community College
Rochester, New York
http://www.rochesterchildrensbookfestival.org/rcbf/Welcome.html

November 5, 2011
Buckeye Book Festival
Fisher Auditorium
Wooster, Ohio
http://www.buckeyebookfair.com/

November 5, 2011
George West StoryFestGeorge West, Texas
http://www.georgeweststoryfest.org/

November 8, 2011
Rhode Island Storytellers in Concert
Newport, Rhode Island
http://www.ristic.org/

November 11-13, 2011
35th Boston Book Fair
Hynes Convention Center
Boston, Massachusetts
http://www.bostonbookfair.com/

November 12, 2011
30th Annual Kentucky Book Fair
Frankfort Convention Center
Frankfort, Kentucky
http://kybookfair.org/

November 12-13, 2011
20th Annual Connecticut Children’s Book Fair
Storrs, Connecticut
http://bookfair.uconn.edu/

November 12-13, 2011
8th Annual Dahlonega Literary Festival & Publishing Conference
Dahlonega, Georgia
http://www.literaryfestival.org/

November 13-20, 2011
Miami Book Fair International
Miami, Florida
http://www.miamibookfair.com/

Attend a Writer’s Conference At Least Once

2011-10-26T18:33:00.000-07:00

Your craft or industry invokes a sense of curiosity to find out about what others in your particular genre are doing. You want to network with people who you can collaborate with that could in some way help you to understand how to navigate through your writing journey.

If you never experienced a writer’s conference before, you should attend one in your area, if you are truly serious about your writing career. Writer’s conferences open up a wealth of opportunity that you would not get if you only tried to wing it on your own. Everyone needs resources and this is a good place to have hands-on experience. Depending on the size and scope of the writer’s conference, there will be many experts from the publishing field, authors and agents representing various agencies.

Join a writer’s network in your area and become a part of the bigger picture from a different writing dimension and perspective.

Prompts from Poets & Writers

2011-10-18T04:24:00.000-07:00

Writers, like any other profession, need positive inspiration to help stimulate their creativity and productivity. Each week Poets & Writers feature weekly writing prompts to help joggle those literary cells that tend to go dormant from time to time. “The Time Is Now” offers prompts to help you to stay consistent and disciplined with your writing. This is a great tool to help generate ideas for current and future projects you may be working on. Such exercises are excellent for combating that dreadful writer’s block! http://www.pw.org/writing-prompts-exercises

Is Your Child a Member of a Book Club?

2011-10-13T16:58:00.000-07:00

We know when parents and adults encourage and inspire children to read, it becomes habitual for them to foster that desire to read. Many parents and adults use bedtime as a time to read their children a story that will help them go to sleep. The quality time you spend with children helping them to develop good reading habits, can also lead to developing creative writing skills.

Just as adults have book clubs to share and discuss particular books for those with likeminded literary interests, there should be more book clubs for children as well. I was particularly blown away when I saw the massive readers who are part of the Harry Potter Book Club. The dialogue exchanged between children and many adults about the different series of Harry Potter Books, consists of thousands of readers who contribute to the increased brand awareness that probably blew J.K. Rowling away!

Often children will engage is some type of sports or music related activity outside regular school hours. But, why not start a Book Club for Children, either in conjunction with your local library, benevolent organizations or even collaborating with a local bookstore? A children’s book club will give them the experience of discussing and interacting with other children and encourage them to read more. Sometimes reading breaks down certain learning barriers that many children tend to struggle with. Children are interactive creatures and a book club is ideal for that educational interaction that could shape the direction of their future learning.

Steve Jobs Left His Visionary Mark

2011-10-06T16:30:00.000-07:00

1955-2011

Around the world, many people are remembering the life, times and influence of Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple Computer. My first computer was an Apple Macintosh 700 series and it was so user friendly that it made me computer literate in no time at all. Like so many people who make their mark in history, whether they are famous, rich or not, you have to admire Steve Jobs for his contributions to change the face of modern technology.

As I read many tributes to this innovative man, I saw this remarkable 1 minute commercial that he narrated, but unfortunately never debuted. In 1997, TBWA/Chiat/Day, an advertising agency created Apple's "Think Different" ad campaign. It is such a poignant commercial that perhaps if Apple decides to broadcast this now, it will make an even bigger impact on the way people think, create and inspire.

Thank you from everyone you inspired and encouraged Steve, whether you knew us or not. May God Bless and strengthen your family during this time.

October 2011 Book Festivals & Conferences

2011-10-02T13:58:00.000-07:00

October Book Events

Searching for some engaging book events? Check out this month’s schedule of book festivals and conferences happening in your area!

October 6-8, 2011

Montana Festival of the Book

Missoula, Montana

http://www.humanitiesmontana.org/BookFestival/bookfest.php

October 7-9, 2011

2011 Festival of Books

South Dakota

http://www.sdhumanities.org/programs_festival.htm

Oct. 7 - 8, 2011

Talk Story Festival

McCoy Pavilion

Ala Moana Park

Kapolei, Hawaii

http://www1.honolulu.gov/parks/programs/talkstory/index.htm

October 11 , 2011

Corn Island Storytelling

Clifton Center

2117 Payne Street

Louisville, Kentucky

http://www.cornislandstorytellingfestival.org/

October 15, 2011

Boston Book Festival

Boston, Massachusetts

http://www.bostonbookfest.org/

October 22-23, 2011

West Virginia Book Festival

Charleston Civic Center

Charleston, West Virginia

http://wvbookfestival.org/

October 22, 2011

2011 Children's Literature Festival

Keene State College

Keene, New Hampshire

http://www.keene.edu/clf/

October 29, 2011

2011 Louisiana Book Festival

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

http://www.louisianabookfestival.org/

Utah Center for the Book

Throughout the month of October

Utah Humanities Book Festival

Celebrating books and authors throughout October

Salt Lake City, Utah

http://www.utahhumanities.org/BookFestival.htm

(from Read.gov)

My Little Red Diary Part 2: Writing About What I Ate Today

2011-09-29T04:56:00.000-07:00

Why on earth would anyone be interested in what you ate as a teenager? It may surprise you how your eating habits back then could greatly affect the way teenagers look at what they eat today. It may not be what you ate, as much as your emotional state or occurrences that took place during this time. Eating involves varied emotions (hunger, frustration, happiness, anxiety, weight consciousness, etc.).

As we dissect the statement "What I Ate Today," here are some questions to help jumpstart your train of thought when expanding the perimeters of writing opportunities:

1. What did I eat (hamburger, fries, milkshake, fried chicken)?

2. Where was I (at home, a festival, the fair, at school)?

3. What time of the day was it (morning, afternoon, evening)?

4. What was the weather like (sunny, rainy, cloudy)?

5. Who prepared it (fast food joint, a drive-in restaurant, Mom or Grandma cooked it)?

6. Did I enjoy it or get sick (Did you burst at the seams because you were stuffed, or were you allergic to something)?

7. Were eating disorders prevalent during this time?

8. Did I wash the dishes?

9. What meal was this (breakfast, lunch, dinner or snack)?

10. Who did I eat with (family, friends, by yourself)?

Can you imagine how many pitches you could make from writing about something as simple as what you ate that day? Here are a few market possibilities:

o Teen magazine articles

o Food magazine articles

o Health magazines

o Family oriented magazines

o Women's magazines or journals

o Trade journals on specific types of food

o Short story markets

o Poems about food

o Website focusing on food or emotional eating

You never know how many ways you can make this simple topic alluring or the vast number of markets your story will wind up in. Newspapers will offer opportunities to make recommendations on local, affordable eateries for teens, cuisines indicative to that area or what a particular restaurant is famous for and why. Go for it! Start writing and start pitching those ideas! And you thought no one would be interested in what you ate that day.

Need To Write A Sizzling Story? Check Out Your Little Red Diary!

2011-09-26T16:56:00.000-07:00

Oh the stories your little red diary can produce. Do they still make those things? Are they still called diaries? Why were they red? Perhaps there were other colors, but somehow I never remembered seeing any other color besides red. The presence of the gold lock and key signified that the contents were off limits to those other than the owner. Why was everyone so curious about what was inside that little red book, especially when it belonged to someone else? Is it because when you know something is forbidden, your urge to explore the mysteries behind it intensifies? One thing for sure, you could only write a brief summary of what you were entering in your diary, because there were only three to four lines in that compact treasure trove.

Whether you called it a diary, journal, log, record, chronicle or memoir, your daily account of events were written and securely tucked away from those snoops who were eager to get their hands on your personal secrets. As I look through that little red diary my mother gave me when I was entering high school, I couldn't believe some of the emotional, as well as, monotonous stuff I wrote. Although I may not remember all of those events vividly, boy can I write some thrillers from my teenage accounts. As I reflected on some of the things I wrote, I thought about the writing opportunities that these daily records could produce. I felt obligated to fill in those tiny little lines with something that occurred on that particular day. Here are a few things I jotted down that appear to be pointless and non-incriminating, but definitely have hidden story potential:

1. What I ate that day

2. Where I went that day

3. The day I got my report card

4. What album I bought that day

5. My first kiss

6. My first argument with my boyfriend

7. My first heartbreak

8. The day I got my drivers license

9. The day I got my first after school job

10. The day I bought my car

11. What I felt like on graduation day

Each one of these seemingly boring entries has the potential to produce some exciting compositions (a poem, short story, novel or article). Imagine that! I listed eleven things from a five year diary that could generate clips and credits to add to my writing portfolio. You could generate interest and excitement to any memoir, by simply adding a splash of creativity to make your words come alive.

This is the first of a twelve part series encompassing "My Little Red Diary" that will break down these eleven daily accounts and offer suggestions for creating marketable compositions from them. You may want to burn that diary, because it could contain some scandalous things. Before you do that, take a closer look to see if your diary holds some profitable possibilities without offending or damaging another party. You never know what sizzling stories could come from those daily accounts.

Students from St. Jude School Publish a Book of Poetry

2011-09-19T17:28:00.000-07:00

St. Jude School Young Poets

We came across this sweet story about some very young students learning about the art of poetry and implementing what they learned by turning their knowledge into a determined compilation of poems that they will be proud of for the rest of their lives.

Students who attend St. Jude School announced that they published their class book of original poetry. These young poets, former second grade students composed several different styles of poetry for the book. To celebrate the occasion, an author’s tea was held to showcase their books. This event gave students the opportunity to read their individual poems and to share their books with family and friends.

Read more…
http://www.timesleader.com/community/St__Jude_students_publish_book_of_poetry_09-18-2011.html

Congratulations young poets from St. Jude School!

Donate Your Books to Charity

2011-09-14T16:44:00.000-07:00

We often think of making donations in the form of food, money, clothing, electronics, cars and other items of necessity. Generally, we really don’t think about donating our surplus of books collecting dust on our bookshelves. Consider donating your surplus of books that you don’t have any idea what to do with, to charity. There are many people, profit and nonprofit organizations in your area collecting books to distribute to those in need.

Here are a couple of organizations who will help you with your used book donations:

DonationTown.org will collect your books and distribute them to charities like the Goodwill, the Humane Society, the Rescue Mission, the Salvation Army, Good Samaritan Ministries, Habitat for Humanity, or Hope Services. Used book donations can also go to a school library, your local city or county library, to help stock libraries in prisons and juvenile detention facilities. There are some charities that developed literacy programs worldwide and will send your used book donations to help the less fortunate in around the world. Donation Town provides Free Nationwide Book Donation Pick Up.

Reading Tree, a nonprofit organization based in Massachusetts and Utah, promotes local conservation and reuse of books. This organization is committed to environmental and conservation awareness in the United States by promoting the responsible reuse of books. Most discarded books in the U.S. are shredded and reduced to pulp in which the destructive chemical processes used to destroy the books also releases harmful environmental pollutants. Reading Tree is dedicated to cultural bridge building on a local, national and international scale, by providing the tools of literacy and education. They are concerned about landfills and dumpsites filled with reusable trashed books.

Digital E-Readers are a space-saver and convenient when traveling. However, I still prefer the feel of a traditional book that I wouldn’t mind passing it on for someone else to read at their leisure. Lending my digital e-reader for someone to read a book at their leisure is not something I would probably do.

September 2011 Book Festivals & Conferences

2011-09-06T21:00:00.000-07:00

September 8, 2011 Hedgebrook Residency
Whidbey Island, Washington
http://www.hedgebrook.org/
connect@hedgebrook.org

September 14, 2011
Algonkian Novel Workshop
Sterling, Virginia
algonkianconferences.com
algonkian@webdelsol.com

September 15, 2011
Brooklyn Book Festival
Brooklyn, New York
http://www.brooklynbookfestival.org/

September 18-23, 2011
2011 Fall for the Book Festival
Fairfax, Virginia
http://fallforthebook.org/?page_id=979/

September 19-24, 2011
West Texas Book and Music Festival
Abilene, Texas
http://www.abilenetx.com/apl/book_music_fest.html

September 22, 2011
Algonkian Writer Conference–New York City Pitch
New York, New York
algonkianconferences.com
algonkian@webdelsol.com

September 23-24, 2011
8th Annual Eastern North Carolina Literary Homecoming
Greenville, North Carolina
http://www.nclr.ecu.edu/lithomecoming/

September 23-25, 2011
16th annual Baltimore Book Festival
Baltimore, Maryland
http://www.baltimorebookfestival.com/

September 24, 2011
Queens Book & Health Fair
The Jamaica Market’s Harvest Room
Jamaica, New York
http://www.queensbookfair.com/

September 24-25, 2011
2011 National Book Festival
The National Mall
http://www.loc.gov/bookfest/

DECA: Building New Leaders in Marketing, Management and Entrepreneurship

2011-09-01T17:58:00.000-07:00

Can you imagine a high school organization shaping and molding teens to become future leaders in commerce and free enterprise? How will these skills make a difference in our national and global economies?

Teaching young people the skills to be innovative, responsible, dependable, competent and to work as a team is what it takes to build the leaders of tomorrow. Just as there are many programs designed to teach adults the advantages of marketing, strategic planning and entrepreneurship, a high school and collegiate organization also touches the lives of millions of students, administrators and business professionals in the same way.

DECA, formally known as Learn more...

Develop Your Child's Writing

2011-08-18T16:15:00.001-07:00

Many parents are concerned with their children's reading, vocabulary and writing skills. In an article published in USA Weekend, Pam Allyn, author of Your Child's Writing outlines 5 key suggestions to help your kids write. Read Develop Your Child's Writing to get some simple, everyday tips that you can implement immediately!

http://www.usaweekend.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2011308050005

Writer’s Digest: 8 Reasons Books Fail

2011-08-07T10:12:00.000-07:00

Three years ago, Writer’s Digest came out with some excellent tips on the reasons why so many authors fail with their self-published books. This is a must read for those of you who either have self-published books or contemplating on getting a book published. These are some very valuable tips worth reading about again.

Click here: 8 Reasons Books Fail

August 2011 Poetry & Book Festivals

2011-08-01T16:37:00.000-07:00

August 4, 2011
Poetry Reading
Hygienic Gallery
83 Bank Street, New London, CT
Email: gallery@hygienic.org
http://hygienic.org/

August 5, 2011
The Last Poem On The Last Day
Author Reading/Signing
The Secret Word Cafe
2016 Dowling St., Houston, TX
Email: info@thesecretwordcafe.com
http://thesecretwordcafe.com/

August 7, 2011
Poetry on the Lawn
Longfellow Historic Site
105 Brattle Street, Cambridge , MA
www.nps.gov/long

August 7, 2011
Bodega Monthly Reading Series
The Bodega
24 Saint Nicholas Avenue (corner of Troutman), Brooklyn, NY
http://thebodegawinebar.wordpress.com/the-bodega-monthly/

August 7, 2011
Poetry Reading by Robert Fanning
Literary Life Bookstore & More, 758 Wealthy Street SE, Grand Rapids, MI
info@literarylifebookstore.com
http://www.literarylifebookstore.com/

August 9, 2011
Singing Words: A Celebration of Poetry, Music, & the Creative Spirit
Pickney Boathouse
Brewster Academy, Wolfeboro, NH
info@artsedgewolfeboro.org
http://www.artsedgewolfeboro.org/

August 14, 2011
The Poet’s Asylum
WCUW Front Room,9
10 Main Street, Worcester, MA
webmaster@poetsasylum.org
http://www.poetsasylum.org/

August 14, 2011
Where Do Poems Come From?
105 Brattle Street lawn (In case of rain reading on porch)
Cambridge , MA
www.nps.gov/long

August 17, 2011
InDigest Issue #21 Launch Party
(Le) Poisson Rouge, 158 Bleecker St., New York, NY
editors@indigestmag.com
http://indigestmag.com/blog/?p=641

August 18, 2011
Poetry from the Rooftops: Cedar Sigo, Rosanna Warren & Dara Wier
The Arsenal Building at Central Park
64th Street at 5th Avenue, New York, NY
academy@poets.org
http://www.poets.org/

August 18, 2011
Reading, Discussion and Book Signing
Bluestockings Bookstore
172 Allen St., New York , NY
events@bluestockings.com
http://bluestockings.com/

August 20 - 21, 2011
7th Annual DC Poetry Festival – Honoring Gil Scott Heron
Carter Barron Amphitheater
16th & Colorado Avenue, NW, Washington, DC
fox.charlotte@gmail.com
http://www.nps.gov/rocr/planyourvisit/cbarronschedule.htm

August 21, 2011
The Poets' Asylum
WCUW Front Room
910 Main Street, Worcester, MA
webmaster@poetsasylum.org
http://www.poetsasylum.org/

August 23, 2011
Poetry Reading at the Cornelia Street Cafe
Cornelia Street Cafe, 29 Cornelia Street, New York, NY
words@corneliastreetcafe.com
http://www.corneliastreetcafe.com/

August 28, 2011
The Poet’s Asylum
WCUW Front Room, 910 Main Street, Worcester, MA
webmaster@poetsasylum.org
http://www.poetsasylum.org/

7 Reasons to Turn Summer Reading Programs Into a Yearlong Habit

2011-07-24T04:37:00.000-07:00

Do you participate in a summer reading program or reading challenge? Do you think two to three months of free time during a student's summer vacation really attributes to their learning loss?

Reading is a fundamental part of our learning curve and educational achievement. Studies indicate that eight out of ten students who read recreationally, tend to outperform students who do not. During the summer months when most students are basking in vacation bliss with nothing to do, this could also be a risky time for a major educational setback called "summer learning loss." This occurs when students are not engaging in some type of educational activity during their summer vacation.

Areas that seem to suffer the most involve...Read more

Where Is Your Favorite Place to Read? Sweepstakes

2011-07-15T17:11:00.000-07:00

Where is your favorite spot to get away and read one of your favorite books? One of Oprah's favorite places to read is beneath a giant oak tree in her backyard. This Sweepstakes is sponsored by OWN Digital LLC. There is no purchase necessary to enter or win. A purchase will not improve your chances of winning. Odds of winning will depend on the total number of entries received. Void where prohibited by law.

All you have to do is upload a photo of your favorite reading spot and tell them what makes it so special. One winner will be selected at random to receive a custom 8"x10" painting of Oprah’s favorite books from artist Jane Mount. The Sweepstakes period is from Tuesday, July 12, 2011 through 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time on Friday, August 26, 2011.

Click here for official rules

A Writer's Core Strategy: 4 Steps to Brand Positioning

2011-07-13T20:53:00.000-07:00

What is your strategic approach when developing a competitive advantage over other writers in your category? How do you position and brand your writing? What is your experience curve and specialization? What areas are you focusing on and how is your audience finding value in what they read? Is there an obvious difference between your audience and that of your competitor's?

With broader and more diverse avenues of communication, people are writing anything on any subject imaginable. Quality of content and diversification separates the professionals from the amateurs. When writing for a living whether you are salaried or a freelancer, you want to look for strategic ways to present your information in a clear, relative and sometimes entertaining way.

When looking for alternatives to help you better position and broaden your brand of writing, here are four core-marketing steps to follow: Read more...

http://www.kymgmoore.com/

Saluting the 4th of July!

2011-07-02T13:17:00.000-07:00

Happy Independence Day!

If you do not know this vital information about the United States of America, whether you are a natural born citizen or someone who became a citizen, then it behooves you to learn it.

Pledge of Allegiance (an oath of loyalty to the national flag and the republic of the United States of America, originally composed by Francis Bellamy in 1892. It should be recited while standing at attention with the right hand over the heart; military personnel must salute.) http://www.ushistory.org/documents/pledge.htm

My Country Tis of Thee (Song) http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh697.sht

Oh Beautiful (Song) http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/o/b/obfsskis.htm

The Star Spangled Banner (National Anthem) http://kids.niehs.nih.gov/lyrics/spangle.htm

How can we expect others to respect our country if we don’t know it’s history and respect it ourselves!

Pen Without Paper Is Like A Zebra Without Stripes!

2011-06-24T18:38:00.000-07:00

If it wasn't for the creation of paper, can you imagine how documents, important moments in history, transcripts, works of art or spiritual texts would be archived? Would newspapers, magazines, computerized data and books be a foreign concept? The true endurance test of a writing instrument is proven through its artistic expression and exemplified on the surface of a fine piece of paper. Without the invention and advanced technology of paper, the maximum potential of a pen would never be experienced or renowned.

Paper is made through a process by combining fibrous plants and water. The pulp prepared from some of these plant sources include papyrus, bamboo, cotton, hemp, jute, sugar cane, various woods, wheat and rice straws. In North America, wood is the major source of paper-making fibers in North America. The United States is the leading producing paper country.

The word paper is derived from the word papyrus, which is why many think that the origins of paper go back over 5000 years to the land of Egypt. A marsh grass called Cyperous Papyrus flourished there and once the stem of a plant is cut and softened, these strips were layered forming a type of mat. There are some sources reporting that an official of the Imperial Court named T'sai Lun, also known as "the father of paper," created an inexpensive substitute for this process by inventing paper-making in China around 105 A.D.

Just as the evolution of fountain pens went through its engineering and mechanical improvements, so did the progression of paper-making. The demand for paper increased with the rapid growth of printing technology. Paper manufacturers produce thousands of grades and types of paper through mass production for greater efficiency. There are different uses for various types of paper:

1. Drawing

2. Painting

3. Printing

4. Writing

5. Oriental projects

6. Crafts

7. Stationary

8. Greeting Cards

9. Boxes

10. Picture frames

11. Home accessories (ie. lamps, blinds, wallpaper and screens)

The pleasure of writing could not be done solo, whether by pen or paper. The two go hand and hand while complimenting each other. Through advanced technology, the revolution in mass communication had to begin with the relationship and codependency between pen and paper. This duet is the quintessential staple of office supplies.

A beautiful and exquisite writing instrument knows how to serenade a fine piece of paper. Just as you would connect a zebra with stripes, ice cream to a cone, or peas with carrots, when you think about a pen you quickly connect it to paper. In a bureau, on a desk, in a drawer or your briefcase, ninety-nine percent of the time where there is paper, there is a pen. As you stroll through a paper or art supply store, you will run across an assortment of beautifully designed paper to fit your writing needs (linen, cotton, parchment, rice, etc.). Gone are the days of clay tablets, hammers and chisels for day to day written communication. You will definitely find that a beautifully appointed writing instrument like a fountain pen deserves the very best writing paper. This is unquestionably a marriage that was destined to happen!

http://www.kymgmoore.com/

What Happened to the Meaning of Thank You?

2011-06-23T01:23:00.000-07:00

Did someone recently give you a gift, greeting card, donation, flowers or assisted with a project that you found difficult to handle by yourself? Were you pleasantly surprised from this unexpected present or assistance? As the recipient, how did you express your gratitude to the giver?

There is strength and power in the phrase "thank you." The significance of saying thank you for receiving any act of kindness does not seem to be a priority for reciprocation as it once was. The importance of these two words are literally...Read more

Happy Father's Day!

2011-06-19T09:14:00.000-07:00

The history of Father's Day dates back to 1909, in Spokane, Washington. Sonora Smart Dodd was listening to a Mother's Day sermon, at the Central Methodist Episcopal Church. The lecture inspired her to have a special day dedicated to her father, William Jackson Smart, who had brought her up and her siblings, single-handedly, after their mother died.

Sonora could realize the greatness of her father and wanted to let him know how deeply she was touched by his sacrifices, courage, selflessness and love. To pay a tribute to her great dad, Sonora held the first Father's Day celebration on 19th of June 1910, on the birthday of her father. She was the first to solicit the idea of having an official Father's Day observance.

To all of our fathers who step up to the plate and continue to be the father they are supposed to be for their children, we wish you a Happy Father’s Day! To all of the mothers who assumed the role as a dual-parent, Happy Father's Day to you as well!

Summer Reading Room from Oprah

2011-06-18T03:44:00.000-07:00

Feed your literary cravings with books from “A Moveable Feast” by Ernest Hemingway to “Poems from the Women’s Movement” by Honor Moore. Oprah’s Summer Reading Room offers a smorgasbord of 25 books that you won’t be able to put down. Check out this list of summer reads and curl up in the pages of literary bliss!

http://www.oprah.com/omagazine/Summer-Reading-List-Summer-Books

8 Effective Tips for Unblocking Writer's Block

2011-06-09T04:49:00.000-07:00

Overcoming Writer's Block

Do you ever become anxious or feel at a loss when you are unable to produce creative and new content for a particular project or assignment? Do you run out of inspiration or find that your writing task is overwhelming? Sometimes physical, emotional, financial or spiritual pressures contribute to this condition. It is called writer's block.

Ordinarily, those who make a living as a writer run into this dilemma from time to time. You can generate a ton of content in waves and then unexpectedly you seem to run into a dry spell about writing the simplest thing. You have to rehydrate your thought process and win the fight over writer's block. Here are eight simple and effective tips for unblocking your writer's block: Read more...

June Poetry and Book Events

2011-06-02T18:44:00.000-07:00

June Poetry & Book Festivals

Be sure to support your local authors by visiting your nearest poetry and book festival this month. Here’s a list of those upcoming literary events:

Sparring With Beatnik Ghosts
June 4, 2011 to June 6, 2011
Beyond Baroque, Whitefire Theatre, Grand Star Jazz Club (two shows) and Stella Adler Theatre, 5 different shows, 4 addresses, Los Angeles, Venice, Hollywood and Sherman Oaks, CA
http://www.sparringwithbeatnikghosts.com/

Buffalo Commons Storytelling Festival
June 10-11, 2011
McCook, Nebraska
http://www.buffalocommons.org/

Panoply Books Reading Series: Basil Rouskas
Jun 11, 2011
Lambertville, NJ
http://www.panoplybooks.com/

Ugly Duckling Presse Book Launch
June 11, 2011
Pierogi Gallery, 177 N. 9th St., Brooklyn, NY
http://www.uglyducklingpresse.org/

Books NJ
June 12, 2011
Paramus Public Library
116 East Century Road
Paramus, NJ 07652
http://www.booksnj.org/

The Poet’s Asylum
June 12, 2011,
WCUW Front Room, 910 Main Street, Worcester, MA
http://www.poetsasylum.org/

BooksNJ 2011
Jun 12, 2011
Paramus, NJ

Lives Like Loaded Guns: Emily Dickinson and Her Family's Feuds
June 13, 2011
92YTribeca, 200 Hudson St., New York, NY
http://www.92ytribeca.org/

SEA Poetry Series No. 7
June 14, 2011
Exit Art, 475 Tenth Ave, New York, NY
http://www.exitart.org/exhibition_programs/current_programs/slavery.html#events

Big Apple BAP: NYC's Best American Poetry Poets
June 16, 2011
One and One (downstairs Nexus Lounge)
76 East 1st Street (corner of 1st Avenue), New York, NY
http://inspiredwordnyc.blogspot.com/

Poetry from the Rooftops
June 16, 2011
The Arsenal Building at Central Park
64th Street at 5th Avenue, New York, NY
academy@poets.org

National Federation of State Poetry Societies
June 16-19, 2011
Dearborn Inn, Dearborn , MI

Carriage House Poetry Series
Jun 21, 2011
Fanwood, NJ
http://carriagehousepoetryseries.blogspot.com/
Drew University's MFA Program June 2011 Reading Series
Jun 22-28, 2011
Madison, NJ
http://www.drew.edu/graduate/academics/poetry-mfa/calendar

THE U.P. BOOK TOUR 2011
June 23, 2011 to July 23, 2011
Various venues throughout the Upper Peninsula of Michigan
217 North Front Street, Marquette, MI
http://rariekki.webs.com/apps/blog/

Gerald Fleming reads from Night of Pure Breathing
June 24, 2011
Book Passage
51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera, CA
http://bookpassage.com/events
Poets and Painters
June 30, 2011
H.D. Smith Gallery
Hoogland Center for the Arts
420 S. Sxith Street, Springfield, IL
http://www.pwlf.com/

Celebrating Memorial Day!

2011-05-30T04:43:00.000-07:00

We salute the men and women of the military, who lost their lives and served our country, the United States of America. Let us observe, honor and remember the true meaning of why Memorial Day was established and for whom it was established for. Read more…

The Floating Lantern Ceremony: Tōrō nagashi

2011-05-29T10:05:00.000-07:00

When my husband and I visited Maui, Hawaii for our honeymoon, we were so mesmerized by the beauty of the people, as much as we were of the island. There are many cultural flavors integrated in the islands of Hawaii, particularly from Asian and Polynesian influences. There is a traditional ceremony I wanted to witness while we were there, but

Deep Reading: 7 Advantages for Reading Development

2011-05-22T17:09:00.000-07:00

We live in a modern culture where practically everything we do is accelerated and abbreviated. We somehow get trapped into a mode of thinking that as we do things quicker we are saving more time, energy and resources. Perhaps we are in some areas, but are we more sustainable due to certain time-abridged methods?

You will find a myriad of e-readers on the market that gives us the access and convenience of literary portability in a condensed amount of space. While this is a great idea for techno-savvy readers, some have questiioned...Read more...

http://www.kymgmoore.com/

Writers: May is National Photo Month

2011-05-09T01:01:00.000-07:00

This month photographers, artists, crafters and advertisers will be engaging in projects to commemorate National Photo Month. So, writers what are you going to do? We need to utilize our craft to join in with this photographic celebration. How? Well I’m glad you asked.

I will share with you an article I did a few years ago, “Make One Picture Worth A Thousand Words Using 5 Easy Steps” that will give you some useful tips to jumpstart your creativity and make your writing pop. See what you can do with these simple steps and happy writing!

http://ezinearticles.com/?Make-One-Picture-Worth-A-Thousand-Words-Using-5-Easy-Steps&id=301842

http://www.kymgmoore.com/

¡Happy Cinco de Mayo!

2011-05-05T01:00:00.000-07:00

Each year on the fifth of May, we celebrate Cinco de Mayo. So what is Cinco de Mayo all about? This festive celebration of Mexican culture and heritage commemorates the Mexican army’s victory over France in 1862, during the Franco-Mexican War at the Battle of Puebla. This war occurred from 1861-1867. Traditional celebrations of Cinco de Mayo include mariachi music performances, parades and street festivals in cities and towns across Mexico and the U.S.

Not to be confused with the Mexican Independence Day, Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of freedom and liberty.

¡Happy Cinco de Mayo!

State Book Festivals for May & June

2011-05-03T04:48:00.000-07:00

Attend a book festival in your area!

State Book Festivals

From the Library of Congress and Read.gov, here is a list of state book festivals occurring in May and June. If any of these events are in your area, be sure to support your local festival. There's so much to learn and you will take away valuable information from these events. Go out and enjoy!

May 4-7, 2011
St. Louis Storytelling Festival
St. Lousi, Missouri
http://stlstorytellingfestival.org/

May 4-6, 2011
2011 Spring Literary Festival
Athens, Ohio
http://www.english.ohiou.edu/springlitfest/

May 7th
2011 Hudson Children's Book Festival
Hudson, New York
http://www.hudsonchildrensbookfestival.com/

May 21, 2011
Gaithersburg Book Festival
Gaithersburg, Maryland
http://www.gaithersburgbookfestival.org/

June 5, 2011
Bay Area Storytelling Festival
San Francisco Conservatory of Music
San Francisco, California
http://www.bayareastorytelling.org/

June 10-11, 2011
Buffalo Commons Storytelling Festival
McCook, Nebraska
http://www.buffalocommons.org/

http://www.kymgmoore.com/

Arbor Day: Why Trees Are Important to Our Environment

2011-04-29T02:40:00.000-07:00

Celebrating Arbor Day!

Why are trees so important to our environment? Trees are nature’s natural filtration systems. Without the continuous replenishment of planting trees when hundreds are excavated from heavily populated forests and wooded areas, we will definitely struggle to breathe and survive. A tree helps to clean the air and releases oxygen for us to breathe. They absorb carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, greenhouse gases and nitrogen dioxide. Trees absorb pollutants from the soil. Trees can help to slow down water runoff from flash flooding. Trees help to control noise pollution. Overall, trees are a very important part of our environmental equation.

As we celebrate Arbor Day let us participate in planting and caring for our trees. The first Arbor Day was celebrated in Nebraska on April 10, 1872. During this time, more than one million trees were planted. Founded by J. Sterling Morton, he worked to improve agricultural techniques in his state of residency and across the U.S.

To learn more about the programs, history, educational resources and volunteer opportunities with the Arbor Day celebration and beyond, visit http://www.arborday.org/. Have a beautiful and productive Arbor Day!

HAPPY EARTH DAY!

2011-04-22T04:43:00.000-07:00

“Only when the last tree has died and the last river been poisoned and the last fish been caught will we realize we cannot eat money.” ~Cree Indian Proverb

The horrors that plague our environment like air pollution, contaminants that afflict our water systems, littering and toxic waste make us fear the worst for our future if we do not do something about the cause of the problem now. On this Earth Day, commit to doing better, to nurture and take care of our planet.

There are far too many things destroying our environment at our hands. Many people are doing things in their homes and communities to bring environmental awareness to those who will listen. If you are not doing something, not only today, but every day to sustain our environment, then commit today. Whether it’s a recycling program, planting a community garden, planting trees or picking up litter, don’t wait. Do something right now…TODAY! Our lives and the future of our young generation depends on it more than you realize!

HAPPY EARTH DAY EVERYONE!

Movie Trailer for "Poetry" from South Korean Filmmaker Lee Chang-Dong

2011-04-18T15:42:00.000-07:00

To continue celebrating National Poetry Month, I wanted to share this touching movie trailer that I came across called "Poetry." This is a movie about loss and discovery. I have not had an opportunity to see the full version of this movie and I don't know if it is available in English, but if anyone runs across the full version, please let me know. It looks like it will be worth seeing.

The movie Poetry, which was written and directed by South Korean filmmaker Lee Chang-Dong, recently won the Regard d'Or Award at the Fribourg International Film Festival in Switzerland. The movie, about a woman in her sixties who decides to take a poetry class at an adult-education center, also took honors for best screenplay at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival. I included that trailer below, so please watch and enjoy!

Tea & Poetry Book Club

2011-04-09T18:13:00.000-07:00

Tea & Poetry Book Club

The Tea & Poetry Book Club is designed to connect those who love good poetry with those who enjoy a great cup of hot tea. Our objective is to create a social networking round-table of poetry enthusiasts, poetry book authors and poetry news dedicated to reading good books, sharing resources and engaging in informative discussions within this genre.

We encourage you to grab a book of poetry along with a cup of tea, and then allow the flavors of the two mediums to transport you to a serene place of enlightenment, enjoyment and education.

Poetically Yours,
Kym Gordon Moore

http://teaandpoetrybookclub.blogspot.com/
http://www.kymgmoore.com/

April Book Festivals

2011-04-02T16:28:00.000-07:00

There are many annual book festivals going on throughout the month in various cities and states. I listed a few of those festivals along with their links to get more information. Check out the book events going on in your area and support your local authors, libraries and neighborhood bookstores.

April 14-16, 2011
Augusta Baker’s Dozen: 25th Annual Storytelling Festival
Columbia, South Carolina
http://www.myrcpl.com/children/augusta-bakers-dozen

April 15-17, 2011
12th annual Bethesda Literary Festival
Bethesda, Maryland
http://www.bethesda.org/specialevents/litfest/litfest.htm

April 16, 2011
6th Annual Alabama Book Festival
Old Alabama Town
Montgomery, Alabama
http://www.alabamabookfestival.org/

April 16, 2011
Southern Kentucky Book Fest
Warren County Public Library
Bowling Green, Kentucky
http://www.sokybookfest.org/

April 30-May 1, 2011
Los Angeles Times Festival of Books
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California
http://events.latimes.com/festivalofbooks/

April 30-May 1, 2011
30th Annual Connecticut Storytelling Festival & Conference
Connecticut College
New London, Connecticut
http://www.connstorycenter.org/festival.htm

Tea & Poetry Book Club Celebration

2011-03-25T18:05:00.000-07:00

Tea & Poetry Book Club

Who is your favorite poet and what is your favorite poem? As you know, we will celebrate National Poetry Month in April. To me, poetry is the ability to create a literary art form where language makes its unique melody through the aesthetics of words. I always found that regardless of the season, I embrace sipping on a nice cup of one of my favorite flavored hot teas, while reading some poetry. A cup of hot tea and reading your favorite poem are classic traveling companions.

Many individuals, book clubs, libraries and social groups will be celebrating April with a variety of events to embrace and commemorate the fine art of poetry. Throughout the month, I will be highlighting something significant in the world of poetry, whether it’s a book, a poet, an event or a poem.

My Tea & Poetry Book Club Celebration will begin on April 1st. I invite you to share with me the name of your favorite flavor of hot tea, your favorite poet, your favorite poem and your favorite place where you enjoy your delightful cup of tea, when reading your poetry. Stay tuned. There’s more to come from my Tea & Poetry Book Club!

http://www.kymgmoore.com/

Social Media Magazines: A New Ingredient to the Marketing Mix

2011-03-23T17:37:00.000-07:00

What marketing avenues are you using to make customers aware of your products and services? Are you increasing the creative component of your marketing strategy? Do you think social media magazines will fit into your marketing program?

When examining the ingredients of inbound marketing, we discover updated ways to advertise and reach our targeted audience. Inbound marketing includes social media, comment marketing, quality article marketing, video marketing, content marketing and mobile marketing. Inbound marketers are finding new visibility opportunities on the social marketing circuit. A new niche of mobile marketing designed to build consumer relationships is through social media magazines.

Social media magazines are Read more...

http://www.kymgmoore.com/

Today is the First Day of Spring!!!

2011-03-20T11:37:00.000-07:00

We recognize today as the first official day of Spring 2011 in the United States of America. At Spring Equinox (the start of spring), daylight and night are approximately 12 hours long at the equatorial plane. When transitioning from the winter season to the spring season, the sun is moving North as soon as the sun crosses the equator. The sun rises to the midpoint of the sky and our North Pole tilts towards the sun.

Depending on when the sun crosses the equator, the first day of spring in the Southern Hemisphere will be around September 20th or 21st. In other areas around the world such as New Zealand and Australia, they will recognize September 1st as the first official day of spring. March winds bring April showers. April showers bring May flowers! Happy Spring everyone!

http://www.kymgmoore.com/

Electronic Pickpocketing: Tips to Protect Yourself

2011-03-16T16:20:00.000-07:00

If a stranger accidentally brushed up against you, would you check your purse or pocket to make sure that your wallet was still there? Would you know if you were pickpocketed?

Just when you think that you have taken every possible precaution to protect yourself from identity theft, something more villainous comes along. With advanced technology, we can accomplish some amazing things. However, criminals also use technological tricks to rob you blind. You consciously watch what you do when you go to an ATM and you try to be mindful of how you use your credit card online, through your mobile devices or over the telephone. Yet, criminals are managing to stay one step ahead of you in the high-tech game. Did you know that in a matter of seconds, someone could steal your debit or credit card identity without touching your wallet or handbag? How are they doing this? Through a method called radio frequency identification technology, or RFID. Never heard of it? Well, here's how it works. Click here to read more...

http://www.kymgmoore.com/

Writing Prompt Ideas for the Month

2011-03-08T21:23:00.000-08:00

How can you incorporate current events with a writing assignment? Need a few ideas on what to write about if you are experiencing writer’s block? Events are always good writing prompts when you can’t think of anything to write about.

During the month of March, some great events could help you to generate some hearty compositions from it. Find something local that you could target for an article, blog post or some other creative writing project. Here are a few national events that could help you to generate a few ideas to write about:

Women’s History Month

National Nutrition Month

National Poison Prevention Month

Youth Art Month

American Red Cross Month

Irish American Heritage Month

National Craft Month

National Frozen Food Month

National Noodle Month

“Writing is an exploration. You start from nothing and learn as you go.” ~ E. L. Doctorow

http://www.kymgmoore.com/

March 1, 2011 is Share-A-Smile Day!

2011-03-01T19:32:00.000-08:00

“Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.” ~ Thich Nhat Hanh

Eventhough today we are celebrating Share-A-Smile Day, why not allow this to be contagious and spill throughout every day of the year? Someone once said that a smile is just a frown turned upside down. A smile can be loving, reassuring, affirming and complimentary. Sometimes you can smile just because you are living and embracing all of the wonderful gifts God has placed before you!

So share a smile, not only today, but every single day of your life. when your heart is aching sometimes, find something to smile about, even if it is a special memory or a bird singing outside. In the midst of how cold and cruel things can be, when you stop and be still, immersed the quiet calm of your spirit, you will certainly find something to smile about. And if that is too difficult of a thing to do, then draw you a smiley face on a piece of paper and write underneath it in big bold letters – SMILE! Take this smiley face with you wherever you go. Pull it out when you may feel down and it will serve as a reminder to you, to let your spirit be at peace, even in the midst of chaos, when you just smile!

Have a Smile-Filled Day and every day for the rest of the year!

“Smile at each other, smile at your wife, smile at your husband, smile at your children, smile at each other -- it doesn't matter who it is -- and that will help you to grow up in greater love for each other.” ~Mother Teresa of Calcutta

How One Key Word Will Produce Oodles of Stories: 3 Simple Methods

2011-02-27T01:28:00.000-08:00

How can you take one single word and convert it into a story or poem? As you read through the multitude of writer's guidelines for magazines, contests, trade journals or newspapers, they will state what the theme is for their upcoming publications. These topics include a chronological list often described by a "key" word or phrase, assigned for these upcoming issues.

There are some online ezines that create writing challenges based on "one word" to submit a story, essay or poem, in a limited amount of time using a minimum and maximum word count. Once you've submitted your entry, it will be read by other members and site visitors. There will be an opportunity for your fellow readers to make comments about your entry. Some of these critiques will be encouraging while others will be disappointing, so take it with a grain of salt. Don't be overly sensitive about any negative remarks, or even suggested advice because like a rejection letter, you can constructively look at the comments, then adjust and tweak your piece if it needs to be. With a submission that may have been previously rejected, don't throw it away because with a little editing you can possibly make it into a valuable piece to submit elsewhere. By doing this, you could open the doors to some incredible opportunities.

Here are three methods that will help you to practice the technique of taking a single word and building off of it:

1. Think about the word "water" for example and write down anything that reminds you of it.

2. Write down any experience(s) that you or someone you know had in association with that word. (ie. for water - day at the beach; caught a seven pound lobster while deep sea fishing)

3. Take the experiences that you've written down and compile them into a poem, article, novel, short story, documentary or newspaper filler. When looking for a genre to target, don't think that your material has to always be a best selling novel. Look at the other writing avenues that will give you an opportunity to share your composition, increase your "clips" file and possibly make you some money.

If you go to a search engine and type in a keyword, you will find that there are a number of different subjects that address that particular word. Let's take the word "tea" for example. The results from searching this word will list thousands of references from companies selling tea, blogs, websites featuring tea houses or lounges, acronyms using the letters (TEA) for educational, entertainment or technological organizations, article citations, encyclopedia results to several books written about tea.

If you've been given a writing challenge to create a submission by utilizing a "key" word, don't limit or set yourself up for failure before you get started. If you experience writer's block, you may have to leave it alone for a day, and come back to it later. The possibilities are endless if you allow your imagination run wild. Stay committed, do some research, compose and submit. You never know where "one" word can lead you.

http://www.kymgmoore.com/

Make One Picture Worth A Thousand Words Using 5 Easy Steps

2011-02-20T14:23:00.000-08:00

Can you read a picture? Is a picture really worth a thousand words? Could it have been 500 or 250 words instead? Who in their right mind would sit down and count how many words describes a picture? Where in the world did the phrase "A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words" come from?

After snooping around to find out where this quote originated, I must say that I was rather shocked to find out the marketing ingenuity behind this phrase. First, the quotation was incorrectly translated as "One Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words." Literally, the translation was "One Picture Is Worth Ten Thousand Words." It is believed to be a Chinese proverb, which later turned out to be bogus. The phrase was coined by Fred R. Barnard, who promoted the use of images in advertisements appearing on the sides of streetcars. Apparently he called this quote a Chinese proverb, so that people would take it seriously. It's not surprising that this proverb was immediately associated with and credited to Confucius. This was an interesting marketing ploy, but no doubt one that proved to be successful.

Is it possible to take a single picture and yield an incredible literary masterpiece from it? Of course it's possible. After examining the picture, try these five easy steps to jump start your creativity:

1. EMOTIONAL OBSERVATION: Write your initial response of the feeling you get from it (ie. happiness, sadness, serenity, grief)

2. COLORS: Write down the colors that you see (skin tone, colors of clothing or objects, background colors, etc.)

3. OBJECTS: Write down single items that you observe (ie. shirt, hands, arms, teeth, chair, lights, sky, clouds)

4. ADJECTIVES: Write down descriptive words next to your objects (ie. wrinkled dress, bloodshot eyes, grass stained tennis shoes, dirty water, broken chair)

5. COMPOSE: Unscramble the individual words you've compiled to begin creating a sentence, even if it doesn't immediately make sense. Think about what type of literary composition you could turn this picture into (ie. poem, short story, screenplay, novel)

For example, if you go into a clothing store and see items hanging on a rack, you may quickly pass it by. However, if you see a display of those items put together on a mannequin, you'll be captivated by the merchandising and will more likely want to purchase the ensemble. Visualization can be quickly absorbed compared to a large quantity of information.

A picture can provide you with as much information as the written text can. Although an image can be more powerful that a sizeable amount of text, take a picture that you have, whether illustrated or photographic, observe it carefully and begin jotting down words that speak to you from it. Your picture can be an inspiration for the front cover of your novel or chapbook. Perhaps it can potentially turn your writing into a sequel or a trilogy. It's no telling the magnitude of how many literary compositions can be birthed from vivid descriptions and creative structure, by simply observing a picture. Perceive, conceive and achieve - see, devise and make it happen!

http://www.kymgmoore.com/

An Exhilarating Update on GloryToys™ by Parris Lane

2011-02-09T01:06:00.000-08:00

Last Spring, I reported a story about one of my fascinating pals on a mission to do some extraordinary projects for children. Parris Lane, an Emmy nominated actress/singer for a PBS show in Maryland and Teaching Artist at the Smith Center for the Performing Arts in Las Vegas, has over 30 years of experience in performing, producing and creating musical productions and events.

When I spoke with Parris last year, she was working on a project for children that she is passionate about. While traveling across the country as a singer, Parris became aware of the frustration from many parents seeking good film and television programs for their children. Thus, this inspired the birth of GloryToys. The toys in the film represent a multi-cultural cast and the characters focus on the values of love, respect, and appreciation for one another, as well as the animals and this beautiful world that God gave to us. GloryToys will take you through a journey of emotions that touch and speak to your spirit.

I am excited and pleased to announce that Parris has launched the animation of GloryToys and is expanding the project to include other helpful tools to teach children about the Bible. In Kia’s Journey, Parris wrote the music, lyrics, script, performed ALL of the voices and the singing parts. This is a first of its kind known for a female artist in the entertainment world to perform a variety of roles in a project of this magnitude. “Gifts and talents are given for a reason and we all have a purpose in life. However, you have to put the gift to work because faith without work is dead; and prayers, faith and work equals miracles,” says Parris.

Here is a sneak preview from the GloryToys Trailer featuring seven delightful toys escaping from their closet to go on a musical journey through the Bible. The first series is based on the seven days of creation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJInRezqHAM

For more information about Parris Lane and GloryToys, here are additional resources to check out:

http://www.glorytoys.com/

http://www.parrislane.com/

http://www.parrislanepublishing.com/

Congratulations Parris! Continue sharing the wonderful work that you are producing!

Thank You Letters: 5 Reasons Why They Are Important

2011-02-02T13:47:00.000-08:00

In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, sometimes we take the dependability, kindness and faithfulness of those in our household, people we work with or friendships that are dear to us, for granted. If we aren't careful, we could miss out on the opportunity to thank certain people for the special things they've done, before something tragic happens.

There are numerous categories of letters to compose such as, reference, introductory, cover, appreciation, apology, recommendation, business and thank you letters. Verbally, a simple thank you weighs more in weight than gold. However, a written expression of gratitude is priceless! Now-a-days, taking the time to write a thank you letter may seem taxing, but it shows appreciation, as well as personal and professional etiquette.

Here are 5 reasons why thank you letters are vitally important:

1. Thank you letters, notes or postcards are great marketing tools for businesses.

2. They can be the "one" thing that will give you an edge over other candidates applying for a job, to a prospective employer.

3. A thank you letter will make the recipient feel appreciated.

4. They show you care, when you've taken the time to sit down and write one.

5. It is an act of courtesy and sincerity, while expressing individuality.

If you are not savvy in writing letters, there are templates and letter writing services that are great helpmates when needing assistance for composing thank you letters. A number of greeting cards, note cards and stationary are designed to give your letters a look of elegance and distinction. A handwritten letter is personal and more impressive.

If you are the recipient of any particular act of kindness, was given the opportunity to showcase your credentials or perhaps for recognizing an employee who goes above and beyond the call of duty, surprise them when they least expect it, with a thank you letter.

Thank you letters can be simple, informal and not complicated. They will bring a smile to someone's face, touch their heart and make them feel good about what they did to invoke the reason behind you sending them a thank you letter in the first place. Even if you thank them verbally, if possible, follow it up with a letter or note. It can make your day, just as much as it will make theirs.

http://www.kymgmoore.com/

Writers: 6 Strategic Ways to Take Advantage of Link Popularity

2011-01-24T01:00:00.000-08:00

Want to achieve more inbound links to your writing website? Want to increase search engine rankings? Have you thought about incorporating link popularity to help promote your website and your writing business?

So what is link popularity and what does it have to do with your writing business? Link popularity increases your search engine optimization by increasing traffic flow to your website. Having your web address linked to other sites could bring more traffic to your website and promote your writing business. Although link popularity is not an instant solution, if done properly, it will gradually increase your search engine ranking. More traffic could lead to more profits.

The discovery of many avenues for improving the volume of traffic to your website offers a greater opportunity to promote your writing. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the process of increasing search results through higher rankings among search engines such as Google, Yahoo!, AOL and others. SEO's can target different types of searches on the local, state and national levels, as well as industry-specialized searches.

Here are six ways to promote your writing business by including a link to your website within your bio:

1. Write articles

2. Write blogs

3. Write short stories

4. Write poetry

5. Write reports

6. Write a thesis, research paper or other written literary submissions

Article directories, press release distribution services, affiliate programs and pay-per-click (PPC) systems are optional avenues for increasing traffic flow to your website, while improving search engine rankings.

One important caution of link popularity is to avoid one-way linking that can murder your web ranking. Your web content is critical, but if the site you're linking to isn't exchanging a link back to yours, this can produce a higher web ranking for "their" site as opposed to yours. By strategically taking advantage of link popularity to promote your website, it will prove to be an effective, inexpensive promotional opportunity that will be beneficial for marketing your writing business.

http://www.kymgmoore.com/

Happy Birthday Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.!

2011-01-15T01:50:00.000-08:00

“History will have to record that the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition was not the strident clamor of the bad people, but the appalling silence of the good people.” ~Martin Luther King, Jr.

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (January 15, 1929-April 4, 1968) used the principles of nonviolent methods following the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi. It is noted that Dr. King made a request to avoid mentioning his awards and honors at his funeral. Instead, he wanted it to be said that he tried to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, be right on the (Vietnam) war question and to love and serve humanity. In 1964, Dr. King received The Nobel Peace Prize for his work to end racial segregation and discrimination, through nonviolent means.

He married Coretta Scott and they had four children (Yolanda, Martin III., Dexter and Bernice). As we reach this moment celebrating Dr. King’s heroic sacrifice forty-three years later, we must analyze just how much we have progressed and if we are continuing to encourage others to dream even bigger dreams, thereby making those dreams come to fruition. If we have not made significant strides in those dreams of forty-three years ago, or even our current dreams, then we have found ourselves asleep like Rip Van Winkle. So wake up! Now make some things happen!

Happy Birthday Dr. King! Thank you for your great contributions to humanity and peace.

http://www.kymgmoore.com/

Is it time to Reinvent Yourself?

2011-01-07T01:09:00.000-08:00

“The best thing about the future is that it comes only one day at a time.”
~ Abraham Lincoln

On January 1, we celebrated the first day of our new 2011 calendar year. Do you realize that every day we are blessed to be alive, it is the first day of a brand new year for us? I think this is reason alone to celebrate the gift of life every day we have breath in our bodies.

When we find ourselves becoming monotonous and lackluster in some aspect of our lives, we must do something to rekindle the pep in our step and the glide in our stride! While it is easy to be trapped in a sea of despair and discouragement, we have to snap out of it by doing something to reignite our passion to inspire, dazzle and live! Trials and tribulations have a way of wearing us out, ripping us apart, or trying to destroy us completely. There is so much that we have no control over, but you will be surprised by the amount of things that we can control. These things may not always be tangible, but spiritual. Sometimes this is easier said than done when you find yourself in a situation where it seems like there is just no way out. You try everything possible, but it seems like circumstances keep pushing you back further and punches you into a TKO (Technical Knock Out). Yet, when things seem to continue piling up against you, especially when you try to do everything right, don’t give up. Our valley experiences propel us to grow! To understand how this works, we may never quite grasp the process of how this is done. Instead of becoming bitter, we must get busy. Instead of just existing, you should broaden your horizons and live!

Reinventing yourself is not about creating a façade, but about revitalizing what exists to thwart the imprisonment of obscurity. Reinventing yourself is about self-improvement, not self-exploitation or self-idolization. Reinventing yourself is simply about making a better you through wiser choices, as opposed to the same old, same old!

When you look at a glass containing nothing, do you see it empty or as an opportunity? Stop surrounding yourself with the forces of negativity, for they will shut you down just when you least expect it. If we catch ourselves spewing out venomous attacks towards others just because, then we need to get ourselves in check and stop it. If we find ourselves always tearing down instead of building up, then change your tune.

Even with the marketing strategies that organizations put into place to promote their business, they must frequently examine their plans with their current trend, to keep themselves alive, fresh, competitive and updated. If they fail to do so, they can easily fall off the grid into a hole of obsolescence. That would create corporate suicide.

Under normal circumstances, people quickly become bored with the mundane and obscure. Is it time for a new career? Is it time to go back to school and get your degree or certification? Is it time to update your wardrobe? Is it time to seek out new opportunities in something you are passionate about? Is it time to enhance your knowledge by learning something new to teach and empower others? Is it time for a new attitude, perspective or approach? Is it time to lose weight and get healthier? Is it time to get rid of the clutter and overabundance that is creating stress and chaos in your life? Is it time to let go of anyone or anything that is trying to stunt your growth? Is it time to reinvent yourself?

http://www.kymgmoore.com/

Happy 2011!

2011-01-01T01:03:00.000-08:00

"Stop making New Year’s resolutions you will break with old debilitating habits. Start creating doable solutions for new hope and progress."

- Kym

Keep dancing and celebrating life!

Happy 2011!!!

http://www.kymgmoore.com/

Happy Kwanzaa!

2010-12-28T11:46:00.000-08:00

Kwanzaa is an African-American holiday about the festival of the first harvest of the crops. It begins on December 26, and lasts for seven days. The name Kwanzaa, sometimes spelled Kwanza, comes from a phrase which means "first fruits" in Swahili, an East African language. It was created by Dr. Maulana Karenga and was first celebrated in 1966 - 1967. Each day is focused on Nguzo Saba, or the seven principles.

Nguzo Saba (Social and Spiritual Principles)

1. UMOJA (UNITY) (oo-MOE-jah)
2. KUJICHAGULIA (SELF DETERMINATION) (koo-jee-cha-goo-LEE-ah)
3. UJIMA (COLLECTIVE WORK AND RESPONSIBILITY) (oo-JEE-mah)
4. UJAMAA (COOPERATIVE ECONOMICS) (oo-JAH-mah)
5. NIA (PURPOSE) (nee-AH)
6. KUUMBA (CREATIVITY) (koo-OOM-bah)
7. IMANI (FAITH) (ee-MAH-nee)

Happy Kwanzaa everyone!

Why is Christmas Time So Stressful?

2010-12-21T16:15:00.000-08:00

Every year I watch television shows and read articles giving tips on how to avoid being stressed out during the Christmas holiday season. Yes, this is a very busy time of the year, especially in retail. For years, the topic continues to address practical ways to de-stress yourself during the holidays. This opinion piece will not give you a step-by-step list of things to do in order to avoid getting stressed out during the Christmas season. In fact, if we are still discussing this, then we just aren’t getting it.

Somehow, we have gotten wrapped up and trapped into the commercialism of what we made Christmas to be. Our focus is diverted from the true reason why we commemorate such a monumental Holy holiday. When I watch people camp outside of stores in the early morning hours of Black Friday for advertised door busters, and in some situations, a few people start fighting over a sale item, I wonder if it is really worth it. Honestly, I do not think it is.

I celebrate Christmas throughout the year and not just in that 24-hour time span on December 25th. Every day I give praise and commemorate the birth and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Every day, I try to practice peace on earth and goodwill towards everyone with diligence. When I want to buy a gift for someone, I do not need to wait for a special occasion to do so.

During Christmas, we see tons of reenactments of the manger scene. That scene should be indelibly imprinted in our minds, hearts and behavior. If it is, we will truly understand the concept of humbleness and live each day in the spirit of Christmas. When you see a manger scene, is there something about that scene that makes you stressed? I do not know about you, but for me I am reminded that it is not about me, but “for” me. The calm of this scene makes me realize that we are serving a greater purpose than the typical stressed induced frenzy we get trapped into during this time of the year.

There are some gifts I would really like to receive for Christmas, but money can’t buy them. The jovialness and love I received from family and friends who have passed away cannot be wrapped in a cute little package and tucked under the Christmas tree. I miss my mother dearly, and I remember how she painstakingly decorated the Christmas tree every year, as if she was competing in a contest. I hold on to those wonderful memories of my mother and other close family members and friends who are gone. Since it’s impossible to have them here for Christmas, they are wrapped in a spectacular gift box in my memory. As I look at those family members and friends I love dearly who are still here, I cherish their priceless love.

So when we sing, “Oh Holy Night, the stars are brightly shining…” try looking up from time to time at night and see that the stars continue to shine brightly. Try not to be hellacious throughout the year and make the peace that we sing about on Christmas, be our mantra every day. Why is Christmas time so stressful? It isn’t. We allow the nonessentials to induce stress. If we could embrace every day with that Christmas spirit we lovingly capture during this time of the year, then we would not have to worry about being stressed out at all.

Merry Christmas! Be safe out there and celebrate responsibly.

http://www.kymgmoore.com/

Celebrate Life!

2010-12-17T01:00:00.000-08:00

"It has been said, 'time heals all wounds.' I do not agree. The wounds remain. In time, the mind, protecting its sanity, covers them with scar tissue and the pain lessens. But it is never gone."
— Rose Kennedy

I do not wait for a designated time to celebrate the gift of life! I do not wait until a death occurs, to appreciate life. There is not a day that goes by where I do not thank God for blessing me with the breath of life.

There are certain memories during the Christmas season, as well as other holidays, that take us to a gloomy place. Many people were here this time last year, but are not this year. There is a constant void left in our hearts of loved ones we miss dearly that could never be replaced. As we look at the way our lives have changed through tragedy, pain, health challenges, abuse or financial difficulty, we try to hold on to a sense of hope by strengthening our faith. We may be bruised, but we are not broken.

In the hustle and bustle of our lives, we have to stop frequently and breathe. Although we cannot change the events of the past, we have the ability to change our attitudes when approaching the possibilities of the future. We must inhale a newness of life every day and exhale the toxins of distress.

Today, find something to smile about even if your heart is aching. We may not be able to erase those memories of sadness, but we can intensify our pursuit of happiness! Celebrate life!

http://www.kymgmoore.com/

The U.S. Educational Bombshell: We Slipped How Far Behind?

2010-12-12T04:17:00.000-08:00

A Latin phrase, scientia potentia est, whose translation “Knowledge is power” is attributed to Sir Francis Bacon, English author, courtier and philosopher. When I think about this phrase, it reminds me of the 5th verse in Proverbs 24: A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength. (KJV).

As I listened to a recent speech given in Winston Salem, North Carolina by President Barack Obama, he echoed some tough facts about the United States’ educational standing and its impact on economic growth. He warned of a future where the United States of America could lag behind other nations. He told his audience of teachers and students that it was time for an American “Sputnik moment” - referring to the 1957 Soviet satellite launch, that jolted the United States into starting its own space and science programs. “Right now the hard truth is this,” President Obama said, "In the race for the future, America is in danger of falling behind. That's just the truth. And if you hear a politician say it's not, they're just not paying attention.”

There continues to be much discussion among school boards around the country, where school districts are making painstaking budget cuts that are seriously affecting our educational objectives. Should we just throw in the towel and call it a day as a result of these cuts? Is this the end of a good education? Absolutely Not! This is where parents and guardians must become “more” proactive about what they can do to increase their children’s opportunity to learn. Education goes beyond the boundaries of the classroom walls. There are so many things parents and guardians can do to make sure their children are performing with excellence. In order to ensure that our children succeed educationally, it behooves us to be accountable for supplementing their education with increased tools of learning, in spite of any budget cuts regarding the classroom.

Below is a link to an article that I hope rattles your spirit if you are not proactive in the voice of your children’s academics: http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2008/11/19/US-slipping-in-education-rankings/UPI-90221227104776/. Are daily unproductive habits or other distracting routines causing our children to sit on the sidelines of educational complacency? We cannot settle for “whatever” and not be in partnership with the school system. Our children have to be supplemented with increased tools of learning, in and beyond the classroom. Their lives and future is at stake if the winds of change blows their way and they are not prepared to interact with diversity circulating throughout many aspects of their lives.

We already know that the United States ranks dangerously low, but there is so much that we can do right this minute. Be sure to read this story as well, released by OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development), Education: Korea and Finland top OECD’s latest PISA survey of education performance http://www.oecd.org/document/12/0,3343,en_2649_201185_46623628_1_1_1_1,00.html.

“Human knowledge and human power meet in one; for where the cause is not known the effect cannot be produced. Nature to be commanded must be obeyed; and that which in contemplation is as the cause is in operation as the rule.” - Sir Francis Bacon

http://www.kymgmoore.com/

7 Characteristics of Writing Power

2010-12-08T10:19:00.000-08:00

What inspires you to write? What keeps you disciplined in order to write immensely? The common denominator is passion. There is an infinite spectrum of opportunities to produce stories, articles, poetry or any other form of creative writing. Inspiration is produced from emotion: what you feel, see, taste, hear or touch. Everyone is born with the potential to do our best and be the best! We have a choice to either bury that potential or grow it. The key to creation is purpose. Vision manifests that purpose.

With reading and writing copiously, you will find your niche, edit, tweak and edit again. We can compare producing masterful literary compositions, to that of a chef who religiously cooks and experiments with different ingredients. The result for the chef is to produce delectable and exquisite entrées, appetizers and desserts. As with a chef, our genre will not always appeal to the masses. Everyone's literary taste buds are as diverse as races, creeds and nature. As writers, we have a responsibility to avoid intentionally harming our audiences based on maliciousness, carelessness or just because we have the right to freedom of speech.

Your willingness to persevere with a positive attitude will keep procrastination, complacency and fear from crippling and shattering your dreams. So pick up that pen, get those fingers to the keys of a typewriter, a keyboard or speak into a tape recorder. There are people who wait for things to happen, watch things happen and wonder what happened. Be the person to make things happen. Become proactive in every aspect of your life.

Here are seven characteristics that give power to your writing discipline:

1. Potential

2. Purpose

3. Positivity

4. Perseverance

5. Passion

6. Production

7. Proactivity

Whatever you do, keep a positive attitude, despite how dreary the day may look outside or whatever obstacle rolls your way. Remember, you are in charge of your attitude. How you approach and deal with situations and people primarily depends on how you choose to handle it. Your attitude and approach will either enhance or destroy your character.

In order for your writing passion to be manifested, you must use your potential with great purpose. Continue to persevere with a positive attitude and remain proactive in order to produce your personal power of character behind your pen.

http://www.kymgmoore.com/

Writers - Generate Peace and Creativity By Shutting Some Things Off!

2010-12-01T19:06:00.000-08:00

Everywhere I turn now-a-days, it seems like far too many people are stressed out, burned out or heavily medicated on some type of unpronounceable drug prescribed for some indescribable condition. In your mixing bowl of life, when you add a cup of over-work, a dash of under-appreciation, a gallon of over-whelming, a tablespoon of under-pressure and a pinch of over-load, you will microwave an entrée called "beat-down!"

At times, our writing rhythm comes to a screeching halt. Our creative juices aren't flowing and like a pen, we run out of ink with no refill in sight. As a writer, I discovered that I am the "least" productive when my daily activities remain in a frenzy. You can probably accomplish quite a bit in overdrive, but at some point, it will eventually send you spinning out of control.

After evaluating my daily routine, I realized that I had too many things going on at once. One day, I suddenly dumped all of it off of my plate, like trash in a dustpan. This was an emergency exit that I had to make in order to maintain my sanity. After discussing this situation with some close friends, we came to the conclusion that a few of the following things were our biggest culprits:

o TV

o Work

o Your Computer

o Your PDA

o Telephone and Mobile Phones

o Too much multitasking

o Online video games

o Idol conversations

o Worriation

I had to back away from the morning and evening news for a while, because it seemed like every time I watched it, the first five stories were depressing, tragic or violent. This weighed heavily on my spirit and caused me to loose sleep. The result: I woke up so fatigued that I would drink 2 cups of caffeinated coffee and chase it down with an ice cold caffeinated cola to give me a burst of energy...or so I thought! I found that my energy levels became erratic, my concentration was off and my creativity was slower than a snail. Although you cannot realistically turn off the perils of life completely, you have to periodically step outside of it's chaotic circle, saturated with distractions and compassion fatigue.

Needless to say, I had to shut several things off, before I was forced to shut down. These "things" are distractions that keep you "unproductive" in the important things, because you're so focused on the challenging things monopolizing your time. You find yourself complaining, being tired and going through your day, barely able to function properly.

Try to be still and quiet every now and then. Know when to shut some of these energy robbers and time wasters off. On a positive note, take some of these personal accounts and compose poetry, an article or include them in a novel. You'll be surprised by how much your creativity and productivity levels will increase.

http://www.kymgmoore.com/

HAPPY THANKSGIVING DAY!!!

2010-11-24T04:49:00.000-08:00

Did you know that in 1941, Thanksgiving was finally sanctioned by Congress as a legal holiday that is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November? When the Pilgrims who sailed on the Mayflower arrived at Plymouth Rock on December 11, 1620 their first winter was devastating. Many of the original colonists perished.

It is believed that if it weren’t for the help of the Native Americans, the Pilgrims would not have survived through the year. The harvest of 1621 was bountiful and the remaining colonists decided to celebrate with a feast that included 91 Indians who helped them survive their first year.

As we reflect on this tidbit of Thanksgiving Day trivia, let us remember to do the following things to show how thankful we are throughout the year:

Give thanks for a new day,

it’s a gift from God.

Give thanks for your food,

someone had to plant, grow and harvest it.

Give thanks for your freedom,

someone gave up their life for it.

Give thanks to your elders,

they pioneered the way for your journey.

Give thanks for your job,

thousands of people are unemployed.

Give thanks for your home

far too many are sleeping on the streets.

Give thanks always

it gives value to your life and improves your attitude.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!
Continued Peace & Bountiful Blessings!
Kym Gordon Moore
http://www.kymgmoore.com/

Celebrating National Novel Writing Month in November

2010-11-12T11:32:00.000-08:00

National Novel Writing Month is a fun approach to novel writing. Participants began writing November 1. The goal is to write a 175-page (50,000-word) novel by midnight, November 30. NaNoWriMo is a novel-writing program for everyone who thought about writing a novel, but was scared away by the time and effort involved. The very first NaNoWriMo took place in July 1999, in the San Francisco Bay Area.

For more information about NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) or to locate and join a NaNo in your region, visit http://www.nanowrimo.org/. Here’s to making your dreams come true!

http://www.kymgmoore.com/

Happy Veterans Day 2010

2010-11-11T01:00:00.000-08:00

Today we are celebrating Veterans Day, which is also known as Armistice Day. Veteran’s Day is typically celebrated on November 11th and was first incorporated by President Wilson as Armistice Day in 1919. Other countries still recognize November 11th as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day in honor of the Armistice treaty, which ended World War I. In 1954, Congress changed the name from Armistice Day to Veterans Day.

To all of our veterans near and far, retired or still on active duty, regardless of which war you fought in, we not only honor you for your service today, but every day. If it wasn’t for your patriotism to serve your country, we would not have the freedoms we enjoy today. Thank you and may God continue to bless you and your family.

http://www.kymgmoore.com/

Fountain Pen Filling Systems: Where Pen Waltzes With Ink

2010-11-10T11:32:00.000-08:00

The writing instrument that dominated for the longest period in history was the quill pen. Quill pens, made from the wing feathers of geese, lasted for only a week before they needed to be replaced. When handwriting developed into an art form, inventors began improving the writing instrument with newer technologies.

Fountain Pen innovators created filling systems that gave optimum performance in their reservoir designs. The earliest fountain pens were filled through the use of an eyedropper. An eyedropper was used to transfer ink from the bottle to the pen. However, this process was messy and inconvenient. There are three main components in a fountain pen - the reservoir, the feed mechanism and the nib. The reservoir holds the ink, the feed mechanism channels the ink from the reservoir to the nib and the nib (usually made of gold or steel) does the actual writing.

There are two key methods for filling a pen: by cartridge or self-filling. Although the use of a cartridge is extremely convenient and less messy, the self-filling procedure holds a higher esteem over cartridges.

There are two techniques that allowed fountain pens to be self-sufficient: The lever filler and the button filler. All of the fillers had some success but brought a few concerns in the area of regular maintenance. Self filling pen designs included lever fillers, button fillers, twist fillers, blow fillers, pump fillers, vacumatic fillers, sleeve fillers and piston-filling techniques. Several different patents were issued for the self-filling fountain pen designs. Here are six historical inventions of self filling designs that shaped the future of fountain pen's global longevity:

1. The Button Filler: Patented in 1905 and first offered by the Parker Pen Co. in 1913. This was an alternative to the eyedropper method that was used by Parker for their famous Duofold line of pens.

2. Lever Filler: Walter Sheaffer patented the lever filler in 1908. The W.A. Sheaffer Pen Company of Fort Madison, Iowa introduced it in 1912. An external lever depressed the flexible ink sac. The lever fitted flush with the barrel of the pen when it was not in use.

3. Crescent Filler: Roy Conklin of Toledo commercially produced the first one later called the click filler. When two protruding tabs on the outside of the pen were pressed, the tabs would make a clicking sound when the sac was full.

4. Coin Filler: Matchstick type filler using a coin was developed by Lewis Edson Waterman in an attempt to compete with the winning lever filler patent belonging to Sheaffer. A slot in the barrel of the pen enabled a coin to deflate the internal pressure plate, a similar idea to the matchstick filler.

5. Matchstick Filler: Estimated introduction was around 1910 by the Weidlich Company. A hole in the side of the barrel pushed the pressure bar with a matchstick.

6. The Piston Filler: Launched to stardom in 1930, when the German firm Pelikan licensed the technology and used it in its first self-filling pen, the Pelikan 100.

Fine penmanship was essential for anyone involved in the correspondence business (clerical, bookkeepers, stenographers, musicians, etc.). The advancement of fountain pen manufacturing came with many successes and failures to perfect self-filling mechanisms and deter interruption of service. Innovation created secure usage and helped to prevent messy leaks. Effective and reliable filling systems were refined and installed in fountain pens creating an enjoyable experience through function and style.

http://www.kymgmoore.com/

Collecting Vintage Fountain Pens: 5 Things To Look For

2010-11-04T15:49:00.000-07:00

Would a house designed and built by the famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright stand out if it was plucked up and placed in the middle of a mobile home park? That answer would be a resounding yes! Why? Because Mr. Wright's fastidious attention to detail in creating structurally unique and classic designs are masterpieces in the architectural arena, then and now. The same theory goes for acknowledging or collecting things you are attracted to and passionate about.

Like with any collectible, you want to make sure that all parts are present (cap rings, end pieces, etc.) to your fountain pens. Damage to the cap and barrel will affect the value, but can be restored by a professional, albeit costly. Pay attention when looking for any non-original parts, particularly the nib. The inscription on the barrel should usually match the inscription on the nib.

The qualities that make fountain pens valuable and sought after are:

1. Rarity - Perhaps the rarest finds are the pens that you may hear about, but will probably never see. Sheaffer made rare pens decorated with beautiful, highly stylized art nouveau swirls.

2. Size - The most desirable pens, in collecting terminology are large intricately designed pens. There are some pens based on their beauty. although not as large, are also desirable.

3. Workmanship - Pens that were decorated with intricate hand carvings, cupids, tree trunk designs or Japanese hand painting known as Maki'e work are typically the centerpiece of any pen collection.

4. Complexity of artwork - Filigree pens made by most companies, where the original designs depicted whirling lines in no particular forms, were based on floral motifs. After circa 1903 designs became standardized with patterns resembling sheaves of bamboo, paisley or leaf designs.

5. Presence of precious stones in the design - Pens that were made in the late 1930's of solid gold and studded with diamonds around the crown were made and presented to heads of state. You will not likely find these pens on the marketplace.

If you would like to read up on and research some of the collectibles that you might run across in antique shops, pen shows or the occasional finds from swap meets, here are a few books that will be helpful:

o Fountain Pens: Their History and Art, by Jonathan Steinberg

o Fountain Pens: History and Design, by Giorgio Dragoni and Gluseppe Fichera

o Fountain Pens: Past and Present, Identification and Value Guide, by Paul Erano

o Collectible Fountain Pens by Juan Manuel Manuel Clark

o Illustrated Guide to Antique Writing Instruments by Stuart Schneider and George Fischler

One of the largest and oldest collector organizations in the United States is PCA (Pen Collectors of America). This organization maintains the integrity of pen collecting, promotes the use of fountain pens, encourages and promotes effective education and defines pen collecting as an international hobby. Writing Equipment Society in the UK is devoted to the conservation, study and collection of all types of writing equipment. Fountain pens are only a part of this group's interests. A number of other national, regional and local clubs exist having regularly scheduled meetings for the pen aficionado.

There is a wealth of information on different levels, teaching you about the principles of collecting a variety of writing apparatuses and inkwells. The information mentioned above is just a tidbit of resources available to begin your journey into the fascinating world of collecting fountain pens. Have fun and enjoy the historical significance as well as lucrative benefits such a collection can bring.

http://www.kymgmoore.com/

The Right Fountain Pen: 5 Tips To Consider Before Buying

2010-10-30T15:58:00.000-07:00

Are you intrigued by the classic elegance of artistic, well engineered fountain pens that can seduce, as well as intimidate you at the same time? Like forbidden fruit, has the thought of owning a fountain pen left you feeling like you were out of your league? Captivated by the art of writing, the type of pencil or pen you use makes a tremendous impact on your penmanship. For over one thousand years, the writing instrument that dominated the longest in history was the quill pen. Estimated introduction around 700 A.D., the quill pen was made from a bird feather. These pens usually lasted for only a week before it was necessary to replace them. The design and development of the fountain pen came after years of using quill pens. The fountain pen evolved through various inventions to improve the mechanics of its writing composition.

Before purchasing a new fountain pen, unless you are a collector, here are some quick tips to consider:

1. Size - Pick up a pen, hold it in your hand to check for comfort and an easy grip. If your hand is petite you want to select a pen with a small barrel.

2. Weight - If a pen feels heavy when you initially pick it up and feel it, you may want to consider if this will be the most practical decision for you if you are planning to write for an extended period of time. The extra weight could cause strain and fatigue on your wrist and hand.

3. Nib - This is the point of the pen that does the actual writing. Depending on preference, there are nibs for different writing styles and strokes. An oblique nib provides a thicker line on the downward stroke and are also good for left-handed writers. An italic or stub nib gives a slanted stroke and are generally used for calligraphy writing. Your writing tends to be slower with the italic nib.

4. Ink Capacity - Some pens have a built-in piston allowing it to hold more ink than the pens using a cartridge or converter. Cartridges are wonderful for mobility but may be proned to having flow problems (skipping or not always starting when it comes in contact with paper).

5. Price - Although there are many fountain pens in a variety of shapes, sizes, styles and colors to fit your personality, a pen doesn't have to be expensive to be of good quality and to write well. Find a price that you are comfortable with and compare pens in that price range.

The progression of writing apparatuses has taken a profound leap of success since the quill pen. The renaissance of fountain pens became lucratively victorious when its negative issues went through a major overhaul from being considered a "leaky mess" to capturing the interest and attention of the elite. If you are passionate about the art of handwriting (cursive and printing) you will develop a deep appreciation for writing instruments and understand the incredible feat of the fountain pen.

A well crafted fountain pen is like fine aged wine, haute couture fashion, or an ounce of precious parfum. It's amazing to find that there are worldwide pen enthusiasts who appreciate the architectural composition of this amazing writing instrument. If you decide to test drive and purchase a fountain pen, be sure to consider its size, weight, nib, ink capacity and price, tailored to fit your specific needs. Ultimately, the true value lies in what appeals to and satisfies the pen owner.

http://www.kymgmoore.com/

Men Enjoy Literary Satisfaction Too!

2010-10-17T01:38:00.000-07:00

When we meet or talk about book clubs, often we see women dominating this area of literary fellowship. However, not surprisingly, more men (not just writers or authors) also find literary satisfaction in discussing the messages and storylines that permeate from the pages of a good book. We are witnessing an increase in Men’s Book Clubs whose members are choosing to take a different approach to the commonly perceived male bonding get together, of watching the game on television, drinking beer, playing golf, congregating at a bar, or smoking cigars while playing a game of poker. male lifestyle changes in health and wellness are creating different conversations that are edifying and gratifying, but in no way questions a man’s sexuality or sexual. More men are beginning to enjoy the tranquil pleasures that women have indulged in for years (i.e. massages, reflexology, afternoon tea, manicures, pedicures and facials). Such serene lifestyle changes are extremely therapeutic and can significantly reduce stress. Although boy’s clubs have been around for years, this literary inclusion upgrades their social networking status.

As we continue to celebrate National Book Month for October, I came across two interesting lists of books for men that I wanted to share with my male audience. Oprah Winfrey’s Book Club published one of these lists just before Father’s Day called “18 Books Men Want.” http://www.oprah.com/omagazine/Books-for-Dads-Fathers-Day-Gift-Advice The other list, posted on Amazon.com “Men DO Read!!! 25 Books That Guys Will Enjoy Reading” http://www.amazon.com/read-books-that-enjoy-reading/lm/1FCYT53JDBZS7, also contains some good reads that your guy may like.

Of course, these are just partial lists of some of the numerous books recommended for men. But, if you have a book that you would like to recommend and share, feel free to post it below with the name of the book, its genre and author. We have a G-Rated audience reading our posts and ask that you please be mindful and keep all comments and content free from offensive material that is vulgar, disrespects or defames anyone’s race, creed, gender or color. Good reading everyone!

Happy Columbus Day!

2010-10-11T08:43:00.000-07:00

Christopher Columbus is often portrayed as the first European to sail to the Americas. He is sometimes portrayed as the discoverer of the New World. However, this is controversial on many counts in some countries and has been re-named in others.. There is evidence that the first Europeans to sail across the Atlantic were Viking explorers from Scandinavia. In addition, the land was already populated by indigenous peoples, who had 'discovered' the Americas thousands of years before.

Columbus Day originated as a celebration of Italian-American heritage and was first held in San Francisco in 1869. The first state-wide celebration was held in Colorado in 1907. In 1937, Columbus Day become a holiday across the United States. Since 1971, it has been celebrated on the second Monday in October. The date on which Columbus arrived in the Americas is also celebrated as the Día de la Raza (Day of the Race) in Latin America and some Latino communities in the USA. http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/columbus-day

Happy Columbus Day! Please be sure to celebrate responsibly!

October is National Book Month

2010-10-02T18:50:00.000-07:00

October is National Book Month. This annual event encourages everyone of all ages to enjoy reading and experiencing books. The mission of the National Book Foundation and the National Book Awards is to celebrate the best of American literature, to expand its audience and to enhance the cultural value of good writing in America. Read more about the National Book Foundation: http://www.nationalbook.org/nbm.html or http://www.nationalbook.org/

http://www.kymgmoore.com/

The Write Designs: Companies Producing Collectible Fountain Pens

2010-09-25T15:17:00.000-07:00

Can you possibly imagine what it would be like today if the invention of paper, ink and pens never came to fruition? Would we still be writing on the walls of caves with rocks and pebbles to get our visual and verbal communication across? Thank goodness through the evolution of time, there were many technological innovators who created commercial breakthroughs in fine writing instruments.

Here are eleven out of many companies, who produced some highly valued pens that are among a fountain pen collector's dream:

1. Mabie, Todd & Co. itself was established in 1860 in New York was reformed as Mabie Todd & Bard in 1873. Their first fountain pen, the Calligraphic, was introduced around 1878. Production of their famous "Swan" fountain pens is estimated around 1890.

2. Esterbrook Pen Company, 1856: Richard Esterbrook saw that there was no steel nib manufacturer in the U.S.A., and set up operations in the town of Camden, New Jersey. The initial company was named the United States Steel Pen Manufacturing Company, then Esterbrook Steel Pen Manufacturing Company and by 1947 was renamed The Esterbrook Pen Company. In the 1950's, Esterbrook advertised 4 styles of fountain pens featuring 9 popular nibs to choose from, for the way you write.

3. L.E. Waterman & Company, 1883 to Present: Founded by Lewis Edson Waterman, The Ideal Pen Company is born and in 1888 the company was renamed the L.E. Waterman Company. The company developed the mottled hard rubber finish into the wood grain finish.

4. Parker Pen Company, 1891-Present: Founded by George Safford Parker. In 1894 the company was known for the Lucky Curve ink feed system. Parker launched the first self-filling fountain pen, the Parker 61, in 1956. Engineered to "self-draw" ink from the bottle, the Parker 61 could hold enough ink to last for six hours of steady writing.

5. Conklin Pen Manufacturing Company (originally the Self Fountain Pen Company), established in 1897: In 1901, Conklin patents the Crescent Filler for what is now the Conklin Pen Manufacturing Co. In 1903, the company expands its advertising and marketing, including an endorsement by Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens).

6. Montblanc, 1906-Present: A German company known originally as Simplo Filler Pen Company and manufacturers of high-class gold and fountain pens. Founding fathers: Claus-Johannes Voss, a Hamburg stationer; Alfred Nehemias, a Hamburg banker and August Eberstein, a Berlin engineer.

7. A. A. Waterman Pen Company located in New York City, was established by Arthur A. Waterman in 1897. The similarity of names seemed to irritate L.E. Waterman and they sued to force the company to label their pens and nibs as "Not Related to the LE Waterman Pen Company".

8. Moore Pen Company, 1898-1950's: Based in Boston, Massachusetts, made high quality fountain pens until the mid-1950s. The company began in 1899 as the American Fountain Pen Company with an excellent black hard rubber safety pen they produced for nearly 30 years, known as the "Moore's Non-Leakable Fountain Pen."

9. W.A. Sheaffer Pen Company: 1908 - Present: The first practical lever filling fountain pen, earned Walter Sheaffer a U.S. Patent in 1908. A single stroke of a slim metal lever filled the pen reservoir directly from the ink bottle. Sheaffer established the W.A. Sheaffer Pen Company in 1912.

10. OMAS, 1925-Present: (Officina Meccanica Armando Simoni) Founded by Italian writing industry pioneer Armando Simoni. One of OMAS collectibles, "The Doctor's Pen" had the capacity to hold a clinical thermometer, two reservoirs for different colors of ink and conveniently offered a choice of two nibs.

11. Namiki, 1924-Present: A Japanese company developing and patenting lacquering techniques for hand-painted decoration that did not discolor or fade. Namiki is now featured as Pilot's couture collection of Maki-e work.

Some companies focused on popular nib points tailored to your writing style. Others were known by their self-filling systems, use of precious metals or gems. It was evident that the innovators of fountain pens gave careful thought, experimentation and consideration to the design, convenience, function, as well as style of these exquisite writing masterpieces. Thank goodness for any creative failures these companies faced, because overall their collectible, high valued pens, despite popularity, made unprecedented strides to enjoy the exploration of pure writing pleasure.

http://www.kymgmoore.com/

Fountain Pen Filling Systems: Where Pen Waltzes With Ink

2010-09-15T17:46:00.000-07:00

5. Matchstick Filler: Estimated introduction was around 1910 by the Weidlich Company. A hole in the side of the barrel pushed the pressure bar with a matchstick.

6. The Piston Filler: Launched to stardom in 1930, when the German firm Pelikan licensed the technology and used it in its first self-filling pen, the Pelikan 100.

http://www.kymgmoore.com/

Happy Labor Day!

2010-09-04T17:38:00.000-07:00

Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. Check out more about this memorable holiday at http://www.dol.gov/opa/aboutdol/laborday.htm.

Exercise caution and responsibility! Have a safe and celebratory Labor Day everyone!

http://www.kymgmoore.com/

Collecting Vintage Fountain Pens: 5 Things To Look For

2010-08-29T00:00:00.000-07:00

What's so special about collecting old fountain pens? The craftsmanship of vintage fountain pens creates the essence of impeccable beauty and exquisite artistic value. Owning and using this type of pen revealed that the writer had discriminating taste. Today, the fountain pen is still a status symbol for the ultimate writing experience. It's timeless!

Would a house designed and built by the famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright stand out if it was plucked up and placed in the middle of a mobile home park? That answer would be a resounding yes! Why? Because Mr. Wright's fastidious attention to detail in creating structurally unique and classic designs are masterpieces in the architectural arena, then and now. The same theory goes for acknowledging or collecting things you are attracted to and passionate about.

Like with any collectible, you want to make sure that all parts are present (cap rings, end pieces, etc.) to your fountain pens. Damage to the cap and barrel will affect the value, but can be restored by a professional, albeit costly. Pay attention when looking for any non-original parts, particularly the nib. The inscription on the barrel should usually match the inscription on the nib.

The qualities that make fountain pens valuable and sought after are:

1. Rarity - Perhaps the rarest finds are the pens that you may hear about, but will probably never see. Sheaffer made rare pens decorated with beautiful, highly stylized art nouveau swirls.

2. Size - The most desirable pens, in collecting terminology are large intricately designed pens. There are some pens based on their beauty. although not as large, are also desirable.

3. Workmanship - Pens that were decorated with intricate hand carvings, cupids, tree trunk designs or Japanese hand painting known as Maki'e work are typically the centerpiece of any pen collection.

4. Complexity of artwork - Filigree pens made by most companies, where the original designs depicted whirling lines in no particular forms, were based on floral motifs. After circa 1903 designs became standardized with patterns resembling sheaves of bamboo, paisley or leaf designs.

5. Presence of precious stones in the design - Pens that were made in the late 1930's of solid gold and studded with diamonds around the crown were made and presented to heads of state. You will not likely find these pens on the marketplace.

If you would like to read up on and research some of the collectibles that you might run across in antique shops, pen shows or the occasional finds from swap meets, here are a few books that will be helpful:

o Fountain Pens: Their History and Art, by Jonathan Steinberg

o Fountain Pens: History and Design, by Giorgio Dragoni and Gluseppe Fichera

o Fountain Pens: Past and Present, Identification and Value Guide, by Paul Erano

o Collectible Fountain Pens by Juan Manuel Manuel Clark

o Illustrated Guide to Antique Writing Instruments by Stuart Schneider and George Fischler

One of the largest and oldest collector organizations in the United States is PCA (Pen Collectors of America). This organization maintains the integrity of pen collecting, promotes the use of fountain pens, encourages and promotes effective education and defines pen collecting as an international hobby. Writing Equipment Society in the UK is devoted to the conservation, study and collection of all types of writing equipment. Fountain pens are only a part of this group's interests. A number of other national, regional and local clubs exist having regularly scheduled meetings for the pen aficionado.

There is a wealth of information on different levels, teaching you about the principles of collecting a variety of writing apparatuses and inkwells. The information mentioned above is just a tidbit of resources available to begin your journey into the fascinating world of collecting fountain pens. Have fun and enjoy the historical significance as well as lucrative benefits such a collection can bring.

http://www.kymgmoore.com/
http://www.frombehindthepen.wordpress.com/

The Right Fountain Pen: 5 Tips To Consider Before Buying

2010-08-22T06:44:00.000-07:00

Before purchasing a new fountain pen, unless you are a collector, here are some quick tips to consider:

1. Size - Pick up a pen, hold it in your hand to check for comfort and an easy grip. If your hand is petite you want to select a pen with a small barrel.

2. Weight - If a pen feels heavy when you initially pick it up and feel it, you may want to consider if this will be the most practical decision for you if you are planning to write for an extended period of time. The extra weight could cause strain and fatigue on your wrist and hand.

3. Nib - This is the point of the pen that does the actual writing. Depending on preference, there are nibs for different writing styles and strokes. An oblique nib provides a thicker line on the downward stroke and are also good for left-handed writers. An italic or stub nib gives a slanted stroke and are generally used for calligraphy writing. Your writing tends to be slower with the italic nib.

4. Ink Capacity - Some pens have a built-in piston allowing it to hold more ink than the pens using a cartridge or converter. Cartridges are wonderful for mobility but may be proned to having flow problems (skipping or not always starting when it comes in contact with paper).

5. Price - Although there are many fountain pens in a variety of shapes, sizes, styles and colors to fit your personality, a pen doesn't have to be expensive to be of good quality and to write well. Find a price that you are comfortable with and compare pens in that price range.

http://www.kymgmoore.com/
http://www.frombehindthepen.wordpress.com/

In the Spirit of Inspiration Book Give-a-way Announces Winners!

2010-08-16T05:26:00.000-07:00

Everything that is really great and inspiring is created by the individual who can labour in freedom. -- Albert Einstein

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the winners of our “In the Spirit of Inspiration” Book Give-a-way Contest. Our panel would like to thank those of you who entered our promotional give-a-way contest, courtesy of the books Chicken Soup for the Soul: Thanks Mom and Diversities of Gifts: Same Spirit.

Our two Grand Prize winners, April Eason and Carolyn Graham-Murray received a prize package that included an autographed copy of Diversities of Gifts: Same Spirit and Chicken Soup for the Soul: Thanks Mom. Congratulations again April and Carolyn on being selected as our Grand Prize winners.

You can check out April’s profile at http://diversitiesofgifts.blogspot.com/2010/08/congratulations-april-faith-eason.html.

You can check out Carolyn’s profile at http://diversitiesofgifts.blogspot.com/2010/08/congratulations-carolyn-graham-murray_16.html.

http://www.kymgmoore.com/

A Soul Stirring Multi-Cultural Experience!

2010-08-05T18:37:00.000-07:00

I had the honor and pleasure of attending a fabulous event on Wednesday evening, August 4, 2010 that was hosted by the Women’s Inter-Cultural Exchange (WIE) and The Light Factory located in Spirit Square, in uptown Charlotte, NC. The exhibition, “My Family, My Culture” was such a powerful, emotional and spiritual experience. WIE members used the power of photography to tell stories that illustrated their culture, their families and their everyday lives. As you viewed each exhibit and read the myriad of stories representing a diversity of cultures of Native American, African American, Italian, Indian, Hispanic and many others, we discovered that we are so much alike. For more information about the Women’s Inter-Cultural Exchange or how to become a member, visit their website at http://www.wi-ce.org/.

The Light Factory, a contemporary museum of photography and film, spearheaded the creation of the museum quality exhibits for each one of the participants. If you live in Charlotte, North Carolina, I urge you to take some time to visit The Light Factory, whose mission reaches the school system and the community to teach them about the power of photography and the aesthetics surrounding this amazing art form. Here is the information for only one of four contemporary museums of photography and film in the United States:

The Light Factory

345 North College Street

Charlotte, North Carolina

704-333-9755

http://www.lightfactory.org/

What Type of Branding Works For You?

2010-08-01T10:06:00.000-07:00

Branding could include a number of variables important to the strategic decision-making process of an organization. By understanding the needs of your target audience, you can successfully expand your brand, based on the benefits you provide for them. Furthermore, your success is dependent on brand awareness and customer loyalty. Different types of branding take the selling process to a new level.

o Personal - This is probably the easiest type of branding. You market yourself by becoming an expert and building a good reputation in your chosen field. As you gain distinction in your line of expertise, you are increasing your perceived value in the marketplace.

o Corporate - Products having the company's name as the product name (e.g. Coors)

o Corporate Parent Brands - Combines individual product names with the corporate name (e.g. General Mills Cheerios)

o Distinct Product Brands - Used in an individual main strategy. Chances are if the particular product fails, it would not hurt the reputation of the manufacturer (e.g. Tide)

o Brand Extensions - This occurs when attaching a popular brand name to a new product in a non-related product category. Products are complimentary. Symbols and logos can also be transferred while retaining their meaning.

o Co-Brands or Range Branding - This occurs when two companies combine their individual products to have both names highlighted in this product.

Branding isn't just about advertising, but it's about taking what you know and revolutionizing it into something new. Even though the Great Depression is believed to be the most severe economic crisis triggered by the stock market crash of 1929 in the U.S., a handful of companies in various industries continued to advertise to consumers. By continuing to reach out to consumers when many thought they were crazy for doing that, especially in light of the current economic state, they actually catapulted their companies into recovering faster, with a larger customer base and greater sales, after the Great Depression ended.

Brand equity, a set of assets or liabilities connected to a company's brand name and symbol, adding to or subtracting from the value that a firm's products or services provide, consist of:

o Brand Associations

o Brand Awareness

o Brand Loyalty

o Perceived Value and Quality of a product or service

o Other assets including trademarks and patents

In order for organizations to meet and exceed their goals through increased product differentiation, they must continue to be cognizant of and react to changes in the needs of their target market, their competitors market and risk reduction through ethical and socially responsible practices.

http://www.kymgmoore.com/

Blinding Me With Science - Tips For Preventing Human Obsolescence

2010-07-24T17:19:00.000-07:00

Does it appear that our lives are being reduced to microchips of pure scientific theories of defining who we are and what our fate will be? Have we become overly mesmerized with the special effects of incredible technology in our Digital Era, as manual labor slowly disappears by eliminating the equation of human interaction, development and survival? Are we taking away the human need for purpose, creativity and positive labor that would make a substantial difference in life, as we know it now and for legacies to come?

Advanced technology gives us the ability to live better and the opportunity to get things done faster. On the flipside, how and when do you draw the line between accelerated technological progress and human handicap? For the sake of convenience, time and cost effectiveness, are we putting ourselves in jeopardy by totally deleting human interaction where it was always prevalent? In light of technological growth, have we diminished our self-worth by becoming completely dependent on these modern apparatuses, leaving our human value vulnerable to complacency? Nowadays, practically everything from mobile phones, calculators, televisions, cash registers, computers and personal digital assistants are programmed to replace prolonged thinking, processing, problem solving and decision-making. Just press a button and the computerized brain embedded in a hard drive computer chip does practically all of our technical and oftentimes human thinking.

Now, I am one to have my fair share of high tech gadgets that truly afford me the freedom to explore greater dimensions of communication, research and organization. I love my "techno-toys" because they open a window of opportunity to learn so many new and exciting things! I applaud advance technology that promotes incredible medical discoveries to help save lives and assist those who are physically challenged to live a more rewarding life in diverse ways. I also applaud technology that helps to investigate evidence from crime scenes to solve cases and the myriad of ways to collect and process information faster, better and more efficiently. Modern technology is great, as long as we do not allow it to make us lazy and useless.

Here are a few tips to compare the effects of our dependency on advanced technology, while avoiding the downside of human obsolescence:

o Remote controls are great and convenient, but we cannot get all spastic when we are unable to find them. Sometimes, you may have to get up and manually turn on the TV, because the batteries may be dead in your device. But remember, your body's battery isn't dead yet! The exercise by walking the short distance from the chair to the TV just might be good for your heart and leg muscles.

o Although invented for its speediness and convenience, unless it is an emergency, I do not always use self-scanning checkouts. If the ratio leans more towards self-scanning usage than checkout clerks and cashiers, then we will slowly find that their jobs will become endangered.

o Use a dictionary or thesaurus more often in order to exercise your mind and increase your knowledge of word structure, grammar, definitions and simple communicative writing. Text messaging is fine occasionally, but we must be mindful to avoid becoming completely saturated in its continuous usage and allow it to flow over into our formal and business communications. When we find that our normal written communications contain too many acronyms coming from the universal text-messaging dictionary, then it is time to react and regroup!

o Calculators are wonderful and convenient, but try using mathematical equations to solve some basic math problems every now and then... manually and with human brainpower! Yes, if you have to use a pen and paper, or an abacus, then by all means use it. (i.e. addition, subtraction, multiplication and division).

o Use your mind or lose your mind! Brainpower can ward off mindset defects. Reading and motor skills have an incredible effect on exercising your mind. My personal discussions with many people found that certain things we acquired and learned during grade school several decades ago, are no longer taught, but were instrumental in our life's survival skills toolkit. Do not discard past lessons of human ingenuity and endurance.

o Although I enjoy the convenience of my neighborhood supermarkets, I also make it a point to shop my local farmers markets, to support area farmers and ranchers. These occupations are projected to have one of the largest decreases in numerical employment. Since food is essential for our survival and there are growing concerns about how our food is fed and processed, you can interact one-on-one with local growers on the art of agriculture.

I love the integrated self-service gas stations and convenience stores. But sometimes, I would love to have someone else do the gas pumping for me when I pull up to a full-service gas station. I miss that nostalgia of days gone by when gas station attendants checked your tire pressure, pumped your gas, checked your oil and cleaned your windows. How I wish they were still around!

Investing into the future can be exhilarating, yet scary in the same sense, because of the unknown. However, as we embrace new technological phases of progress more fervently, scientifically and compassionately, we must be careful to avoid allowing our human value to depreciate. We welcome new ideas for saving money, while being efficient. We must ensure that modern technology helps, not hinders. We must work cohesively with advanced technology to ensure that we increase our human responsibilities, instead of disengaging our human capabilities.

http://www.kymgmoore.com/

Blinding Me With Science - Tips For Occupational and Industry Employment

2010-07-20T18:12:00.000-07:00

Wouldn't it be refreshing and less stressful to speak to a human operator without having to listen to a laundry list of annoying automated service menu options when making a call to inquire about a bill or to get general information? God forbid if you pressed the wrong number and have to start your call all over again. It's quite natural for frustration to kick in, as you feel your blood pressure going up, while creative expletives probably come pouring out, when having to redial that number all over again.

Advances in technology are and have been major feats of what we can invent in order to make our capabilities and lack of ability more efficient. But, as we look back at the Agricultural and Industrial Eras in this country, we must be ever so mindful not to dismiss or reduce the importance and significance of how these influences affect us today. We cannot look at historical achievements as completely old-fashioned and obsolete, because if we truly take off the blinders and see that their importance is vital to our survival today, then we will understand human need and value.

When I watch Sci-Fi movies that present incredible possibilities of profound technological progressiveness, is it likely that too much of a good thing can send people into a newfound imprisonment or lead the human species to self-destruction? Embracing modern technology without fully incorporating our motor skills and mental faculties is a formula spelling disaster! We must be mindful that by embracing too much virtual and very little reality, it can probably reduce human worth to a mound of complacency and nothingness. As we look at our past, as a time we learned, developed and grew, we must ensure that our future of learning, developing and growing does not cause human importance to wane and become as extinct as the prehistoric creatures of time gone by.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the US Department of Labor - Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition (Tomorrow's Jobs), here's a list of those occupations with the largest numerical decreases in employment, projected for 2006-2016:

o Stock clerks and order fillers
o Cashiers, except gaming
o Packers and packagers, hand
o File clerks
o Farmers and ranchers
o Order clerks
o Sewing machine operators
o Cutting, punching and press machine setters, operators, tenders, metal and plastic
o Electrical and electronic equipment assemblers
o Telemarketers
o Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers and weighers

If you hold one of these positions, first of all you do not want to panic or become stressed out because of your profession's decline in the industry marketplace. Instead, you want to focus on transitioning your skills and gaining more knowledge to apply to comparable occupations with more job growth. Try applying these three suggestions to position yourself better in occupational employment:

1. Increase Your Mind Power - Stay in the "know." Make sure that you are continuously learning new and updated information about technological advancements. Knowledge and open-mindedness helps to keep you mentally alert, expands your creativity and positivity, increases your productivity and thought processes.

2. Increase your knowledge in Modern Industry Employment. Much to our dismay, many skills requiring manual labor for jobs that were prevalent thirty or forty years are becoming obsolete with today's work force. We are experiencing a decline in occupational employment, which is resulting from declining industry employment. Research those industries that are gaining popularity and availability, then compare your current skills and learn ways on how you can apply them, in conjunction with gaining more education about your select industry's requirements.

3. Increase your Marketability. By obtaining more education, attending lectures or conferences, networking and reinventing your personal and employable skills, you are in a better position to be a competitive contender as a potential employee; or you will be able to make independent entrepreneurial decisions on a new course, for a new source of income.

Although technology is affecting and endangering the previously mentioned declining occupations, you want to get more training and try your hand at other occupations that will give you the opportunity to utilize your skills and experience. Don't throw your hands up in self-pity and defeat. Raise your hands with confidence, knowledge and victory. Increase your occupational and industry employment!

http://www.kymgmoore.com/

The Impact of Communications - Marketing, Business, Behavior and Culture

2010-07-15T05:02:00.000-07:00

In order to comprehend the impact of communication within your organization, members must understand that this particular element of your marketing mix is used to deliver advertising messages and assist target audiences and customers to make purchases. Communication builds a relationship with current loyal customers, while increasing brand awareness and convincing targeted consumers to buy your brand over your competitors.

There are many factors that can have a major impact on your organization's communication strategy, but here are four key attributes:

1. Marketing

Companies create databases through many ways, such as surveys and transactions for mass customization. Mass customization means to take products traditionally designed for mass markets and reshape them to appear to be personally designed for your targeted customer. The structure of communication starts with the source, which gets the attention of the receiver or end-user, by stimulating their interest of your message. The receiver or end-user interprets the message provided by the sender, in order to provide feedback of the message.

2. Business

Through product and service quality, customer satisfaction is achieved through the creation of increased brand loyalty and elevated repeat purchases. With changes in the environmental factors affecting traditional advertising spending, marketing managers are seeking new and innovative media avenues to reach their current and targeted audiences. We are continuing to witness a shift from traditional media methods (TV, radio, newspaper and magazines) to strategic product placement (Internet commerce, mobile commerce and buzz marketing or viral marketing). As we examine two major categories of communication channels, we discover that they are either personal or non-personal. Personal communication channels involve direct communications through professionals, salespeople, by phone or through email communications. Non-personal channels include attributes such as TV, newspaper, radio, direct mail, Internet, etc.

3. Behavior

When communicating with your current or potential customer, you are building and maintaining a rapport for continued and future business. Cultural and environmental changes affect social, technological, political and economic performances. Physical responses to advertisements will stimulate a shopping environment. These responses are based on awareness, attention-knowledge, desire, conviction, action, price, purchase, evaluation presentation, innovation, information, decision-making and behavioral responses. Regional differentiation (national or global) will have an impact on population, the perceived value of your products or services by customers, need segmentation and cultural preferences.

4. Culture

When marketing and communication managers are promoting their products and services to current and targeted audiences, cultural values and elements of culture are taken into consideration, in order to analyze the impact of their purchasing decision process. Behavioral and demographic attributes consist of values, language, religion, attitudes, population, age, social organizations, education, technology and geography. A common and advantageous concept occurring among many small businesses and large corporations is cultural diversity. Embracing differences and variety within a company and among their target consumers, includes age, ethnicity, education, sexual orientation, race and gender. These attributes are a part of the company's culture. Cultural diversity is becoming an integral part in most companies today and drives economic development, marketing, employee development, vendor relationships and consumer loyalty and spending.

Brand equity communicates the value and quality, or other aspects of your products or services. Communications help customers make more informed decisions about their purchases. Marketing, business, behavior and culture not only impact an organization's communication, but they build relationships.

http://www.kymgmoore.com/

Has Cursive Writing Fallen From Grace?

2010-07-09T02:12:00.000-07:00

Cursive writing flows across the paper like a magical song reverberating through the strings of a harp. Cursive lettering is more difficult than block lettering (or casual style writing). Lines, loops, spirals and swirls work rhythmatically in slants and rollercoaster hoops.

The formality of cursive writing was used in professional correspondence before the development of the typewriter in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Cursive connected words in a single stroke are quite distinctive from "printing" or block lettering. "Joined up writing" is a common phrase for cursive writing in British English. "Running Writing" is the term sometimes used in Australia.

There are different types of handwriting styles in two categories:
o Manuscript (print)
o Cursive

I remember during first and second grades, using the white tablet paper sectioned by solid blue and red lines, with dashes of a blue line running through the middle of the two. The area between the line of dashes down to the solid red line at the bottom of the section was the perimeter for small letters. The range between the solid blue top line and solid red bottom line was the designated area to write capital letters. The continuous development in personal penmanship brought a sense of pride in your written work.

Let's step back into history for a moment and examine the signatures on the Declaration of Independence, signed by members of Congress on July 4, 1776. Notice how the printing of this document flows with influences from a combination of Cursive, Script, Old English and Manuscript lettering. Frequently, I always heard a phrase when someone made a request for my signature, they'd ask for my "John Hancock." No one could ever give me an explanation on the origins of this saying, so I came up with my own summation. After looking at the image of the Declaration of Independence, the one signature that pops out at me located in the middle of the bottom portion of the document was that of John Hancock. Perhaps his creative and bold style brought forth some bantering from his colleagues. But if you look closely at each individual signature, it is clearly evident that these Congressional members were extremely meticulous about their stately penmanship.

With the advent of computers, cursive writing became unstandardized across different school systems in a variety of English speaking countries. It seems like handwriting skills are declining primarily due to the convenience and assortment of fonts stored on computers. Anyone can combat that claim by fine tuning your handwriting when you practice slanting your letters consistently and make the letters continuous. The partnership between pen and paper are used as an avenue to promote personal writing expressions, just like a paintbrush is to canvas - allowing the hand to sway and glide with creativity.

Many people look to re-popularize great and monumental things from the past that have been instrumental in the progression of modern technology and human development. We often hear this saying: "Everything old is new again." This is clearly evident as we see car manufacturers going retro in their body styles, fashion trends rotating full circle, today's commercials are using many popular songs from artists of yesteryear and anything vintage is a collector's haven!

Now-a-days, "rarity" is an asset. Some creative traditions like cursive writing should not be deemed as becoming completely blasé. Despite the fact that cursive writing lost its popularity due to the lack of demand and modern technology, why not sit down and take time to rediscover the elegance and personal satisfaction of what this invaluable talent has to offer. Who knows if cursive writing will become retroactive? You certainly wouldn't want to be left in the dark if it does.

http://www.kymgmoore.com/

My Challenge To You On This 2010 Independence Day!

2010-07-03T11:37:00.000-07:00

As we embark on this traditional day in July when we celebrate our independence, let’s take a brief trip down memory lane about the real story behind our 4th of July celebration.

Independence Day, or the 4th of July as we refer to it here in the United States, is a federal holiday that commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress, on July 4, 1776. The Declaration announced that the 13 American Colonies (Maine - then part of the Province of Massachusetts Bay, Georgia, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, New Hampshire, Virginia, New York, North Carolina, and Rhode Island), were no longer a part of the British Empire and are now independent states.

There is so much to be proud of in this great country of ours and we must be ever so mindful to never take our freedom, which so many fought and died for, for granted. With that in mind, it is very painful to realize that so many Americans do not know some of the basic allegiances and tributes to our country. On this day, if you do not know any of the following, I urge all of you to learn these and many other historical facts that shaped the United States into the great country it is today.

Pledge of Allegience (an oath of loyalty to the national flag and the republic of the United States of America, originally composed by Francis Bellamy in 1892. It should be recited while standing at attention with the right hand over the heart; military personnel must salute.) http://www.ushistory.org/documents/pledge.htm.

My Country Tis of Thee (Song) http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh697.sht.

Oh Beautiful (Song) http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/o/b/obfsskis.htm.

The Star Spangled Banner (Song) http://kids.niehs.nih.gov/lyrics/spangle.htm.

How can we expect others to respect our country if we don’t know it’s history and respect it ourselves! So today, empower yourself! Stand tall and be proud!

May God continue to strengthen us as a united people and may we continue to pray for the truths that united us as a Christian-founded nation, based on strong Biblical principles that we need to get back on track with today! God bless all of you!

HAPPY 4th of JULY Everyone!

http://www.kymgmoore.com/

"Diversities of Gifts: Same Spirit" Celebrates 1st Anniversary!

2010-06-25T17:44:00.000-07:00

A year ago I announced the birth and launch of my book, "Diversities of Gifts: Same Spirit." It has been an exciting year and I am truly blessed by all of you who purchased or received the book as a gift. I will be announcing the birth of another book coming soon. Many people asked for information on where to purchase "Diversities of Gifts: Same Spirit" and I promised to repost where the book is available. Your local bookstore can order it for you if they do not have it in stock. Simply supply them with my full name and the complete title of the book. Or if you prefer, you can order it from one of the following online locations:

Barnes and Noble
http://productsearch.barnesandnoble.com/search/results.aspx?store=book&ATH=Kym%20Gordon%20Moore

Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Diversities-Gifts-Kym-Gordon-Moore/dp/1432730428/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1246509821&sr=1-1

BOOKS-A-MILLION
http://www.booksamillion.com/product/9781432730420?id=4754127318109

Thanks once again to all of you for a very exciting year! I look forward to sharing more upcoming releases very soon! Peace & Blessings Everyone!

Kym Gordon Moore
Author of Diversities of Gifts: Same Spirit
http://www.kymgmoore.com/

"No one can see your visions and dreams as clearly as you can. Purpose is the key to creation, manifested through vision!" - Kym Gordon Moore

THE HEAT IS ON!

2010-06-25T07:29:00.000-07:00

Just about every place in our hemisphere is experiencing soaring record temperatures and the heat index is not encouraging either. If you are not careful and exercise preventative measures to heed the danger of our scorching high temperatures, it can lead to deadly consequences.

Many advisories from the weather channel, meteorologists and health associations suggest precautions to take in order to protect yourself from heat-related stress and illness. Some easy tips include:

• Drinking cool, non-alcoholic beverages.

• Taking a cool shower or bath

• Try to seek an air-conditioned environment if you don’t have one

• Wear lightweight clothing

• Do not engage in strenuous activities in the extreme heat

• Limit the amount of time you spend outdoors in the heat of the day

I found a good website that lists a variety of prevention tips that will help you avoid the dangers of this intense heat: http://www.consumerenergycenter.org/tips/staycool.html. This informative website is from the Consumer Energy Center of the California Energy Commission. Please take a few moments to visit this site or others that you may find, explaining some valuable tips to save your life and those around you. Stay cool and be safe out there!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

2010-06-20T10:23:00.000-07:00

To all of our Fathers, Sons, Brothers, Uncles, Grandfathers, Nephews, Men-in-laws and Friends, we want to say to you on this special, commemorative day, HAPPY FATHER’S DAY! Celebrate the specialness and importance of this day, every day! Father’s play such a vital role in our lives and it is so important to be the role models that would invoke others to live and make this world a better place. Thank you fathers for all you do to make a positive difference in so many lives.

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