Tuesday, March 4, 2014
Writing Power
Monday, March 3, 2014
Happy Birthday to You and Happy Reading to Me!
“I am what I am! That’s a great thing to be! If I say so myself, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!” ~Dr. Seuss
Thank you Theodor Geisel for sharing your talent and vision with us. And for introducing us to the Cat in the Hat, green eggs and ham, Things 1 & 2, and so many other wonderful characters, places, and things.
Sunday, March 2, 2014
I'm the 'Baseball Fan Contributor' on Review This!
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Grayson Stadium, Minor League Ballpark, Savannah, GA |
For instance, our own Mary Beth (mbgphoto here on Review This) gives us a fun review of hers (and my) favorite team, the St. Louis Cardinals, at Spring Training in Jupiter, Florida where she attends the Cardinals' Spring Training games each season.
Quick Link:
For a list of all the baseball-related stories currently featured on Review This! ~ click here.
Saturday, March 1, 2014
How to Write an Informative How-To Article
Writing Step-by-Step Instructions Made Easy
Do you know any useful Web tricks that make online marketing easier? Do you create unique crafts that other people would like to re-create? Do you stay updated on current cooking techniques that make meal preparation easier? Do you want to share your how-to stories with the world? Are you unsure about how to write a how-to article? It's easier than you think!
Hello Writing Friends!
Last week, a friend and I were chatting away and doing some brainstorming. I asked her to hold me accountable for a how-to article I had started. She mentioned how much she disliked writing how-to articles. Personally, I enjoy using my writing as a teaching tool.
Today I'd like to share with you a few tips and hints to create a how-to article that is unique, useful and updated.
Reuse Your Project to Get It Right
Wash, rinse and repeat. Build your confidence as a how-to writer by re-creating your project several times before you sit down to write. You'll learn something new each time you make a beauty elixir, use a smartphone app, start tomato seeds, decorate chocolate cupcakes or refurbish a picture frame.
Each time you re-create your project, take lots of photographs. Think of your photos as your notepad, a place to store your writing ideas. Each of my attempts to Recycle Egg Shells to Make Sidewalk Chalk resulted in a slightly different result. It took several attempts to get the chalk recipe just right.
Tip: Pictures are only worth a thousand words if those pictures help the step-by-step instructions tell the story. Show readers exactly how to do a task and the result they should expect. Show the before and the after.
Reduce Your Project into Steps
The trick to the how-to article is to separate your project into a series of steps. Creating these steps is similar to writing an outline. Look for 6 to 8 items that need to be completed to perform the task. The pictures you took while you completed your project will give you some clues.
Your project may also give you clues to its natural step-by-step process. A project that I started many years ago to Recycle Avocado Seeds and Grow Luxurious Trees lent itself to steps describing each of the growth stages of the avocado tree.
Remember, Revisions Are Your Best Friend
There's always room for improvement in a how-to article. Friends may suggest a different approach that you didn't think about. Add it as a tip in the appropriate step. You may learn more about the subject. Share your new-found knowledge and update your how-to. While re-reading your article, you may think of a better way of explaining a step. Never hesitate to make your work better.
Writing the how-to article is fun. Sharing your knowledge and making new discoveries is a rewarding experience.
Coletta
Posted by Coletta Teske

About This Contributor
Coletta Teske writes reviews on books, business management, writing, crafting, cooking, and gardening. She is also an avid recycler and shares her tips on recycling. She delights in upcycling an old object, recycling or transforming discarded items into a new treasure.
Friday, February 28, 2014
Romantic Movie: The Bodyguard, 10 Things I Hate About You, & More
In a few cases, I have actually been introduced to new romantic movies by our review authors. I really do love that! Having a movie reviewed and recommended, truly helps me find entertainment that I have previously missed, but that I am sure to enjoy.
Recommended Romantic Movie Reviews
Just reading his words filled my mind with memories of the scenes from that movie and made me want to relive the experience of watching Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner fall in love on the silver screen.
This movie is filled with passion and I was reminded of looks of longing and desire these two exchanged with each other as I read this review.
I had not even realized Heath Ledger was the male star in that movie. When the movie was originally released, Heath was new to Hollywood. As a matter of fact, since reading this review, I did a bit of research and found that "10 Things I Hate About You" was Heath's first movie.
This was such a tender movie about first loves and discovering romance. I had to watch it again and, of course, my heart cried for both actors as their relationship developed.
I will admit, I also cried at the realization that the real man, Heath Ledger, was taken from all of us way too soon.
While You Were Sleeping is one of my personal all time favorite romantic comedies.
Crystalwriter wrote an excellent review of this fabulously fun movie. Sandra Bullock and Bill Pullman both have a way of making you feel like you know them personally.
The two of them together in any movie is bound to be a hit, but this really is The Best Case of Unexpected Love.
There are several quotes from this movie that you are apt to hear me reference on a daily basis. I might mention "leaning" or "pencils" and if you have seen the movie, you will definitely grasp the implication.
Romantic Movies by Special Request
WhiteIsland88 suggested that I include Anne of Green Gables. I immediately applauded her movie suggestion. In less than 24 hrs, she had written an outstanding review of the movies.
The romance part of the story comes more into focus in the second movie, but we chose to add and review the trilogy.
While there is no question that you could enjoy the second movie without having seen the first movie, the trilogy is simply more complete with the beginning and end. They are all worthwhile and highly recommended.
I do love the older movies and the beauty of black & white. I always enjoy the close up look at historical places, architecture, clothing styles and political references of what would have been current day when the movies were originally made.
I have added this movie to my list of must sees. I am certain there is a rainy Saturday in my future when this will fit with my desire of the day.
The Anniversary of a Romantic Movie Classic
I had not realized that it had been 40 years since I first viewed this movie until I read this review written by Serendipity831.Talk about a flood of memories! I definitely experienced flashbacks as I was reading this review. It is so hard to believe it has been 40 years. I can easily remember exactly how I felt when I first saw The Way We Were.
Many of us grew up with the golden voice of Barbra Streisand setting the tone of our days and "singing" our lives. When she was teamed with the beautiful "golden boy", Robert Redford, to make this movie, it was bound to be a smash hit!
Happy Anniversary to "The Way We Were" !
Future Romantic Movie Reviews
If you would like to share your romantic movie review with us, simple leave the link to that review in the comment section at the bottom of the list.I look forward to reading and sharing your review!
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Sharing Chocolate Recipes
Chocolate cake, chocolate brownies, hot chocolate, dipping chocolate. Whatever recipe you love can be shared.
Along with your actual recipe, feel free to offer tips or suggestions. Things that you've found to make it easier, tastier, or more elegant. Even offer some of the unique products needed to make your recipe. You can choose your products from the amazing number available
through Amazon.com.
- Is your brownie recipe called the best ever by your family and friends? Then share it like Pukeko did here.
- Do you like to add interesting ingredients to your chocolate brownies? Then share it like I did with my Decadent Brownies.
- Maybe chocolate eclairs are a specialty of yours. ItalasDesigns shares her recipe.
- If hot chocolate is your thing, share your favorite way to make it. Sylvestermouse shares hers here.
No matter what kind of chocolate recipe you have, you can share it. When you finish, be sure to share it by adding your link in the comments below. That way I can feature your chocolate recipe page. Being the chocoholic that I am, mostly likely I will be trying out your recipe, too.
Posted by: BuckHawk

About This Contributor
BuckHawk decribes herself as "Basically a lazy person who prefers the easy things in life." So that's what she writes about. Easy home decorating, easy recipes, easy entertaining. But, she is also a lover of animals, gardening and crafting. You'll find her writing all over the Web, but with Review This Reviews! she has the opportunity to write about all of her loves.
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
Do or Di DIY
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My Third Eye |
Monday, February 24, 2014
Insight
Sunday, February 23, 2014
Writing Online -- Learn by Example
While you should still watch your grammar (or have someone proofread for you), online writing is better described as "conversation writing". Write like you would tell a story to a friend. I actually have a friend that talks to herself while working through writing a story online. In essence she is dictating to herself as she goes.
It's funny, I read mine out loud after I've written it to make sure it's easy to understand -- she does it as she's writing. There is no right or wrong, just what works for you.
Storytelling Everyday
At parties, in the bleachers or around the water cooler at work, we tell stories everyday. Simply start writing the stories that can be helpful to other people in some way. The internet is about helping each other by sharing our passions, experiences, successes and even failures. (I personally believe there is no such thing as a failure as long as you learn something from it.)
I have recently written 2 articles (lenses) on Squidoo that revolve around party planning. One was about a baby shower I co-hosted and the other was my daughter's sweet 16 party. In both instances, I shared what we did and made suggestions others can use when they go to planning a party for any occasion.
They didn't take much time to write but can be found by the right person searching for ideas for their particular party or shower. 93% of online activity begins with a search engine. Hopefully, my stories -- my articles -- will be indexed and displayed for those searchers.
Learn by Example
The contributors on Squidoo write their own stories as well as promoting the stories of others to help get the word out. Learn by their examples and the examples they feature.
Writing a story from personal experience, about a topic you have passion for, and publishing it to the web will help others find you too. You can be a writer -- you just have to write from the heart!
Saturday, February 22, 2014
Reduce Your Online Risk
Reuse and Recycle Your Web Presence
The Web is the two-edged sword of the 21st century. It's the good, the bad, the pretty and the ugly. It's a wonderful world where helpful information and useful products are shared freely. But, on its dark side, predators lurk in the corners, waiting for an opportunity to rob us. Avoid the bad guys. Be safe, surf smart!
Hello Friends!
The Mystery of the Unknown Relative
As my mom found out recently, even an innocent post can wreak havoc on a person. Mom's name and the city in which she lived were listed in an online obituary. Mom wasn't alone in the list, there was a long list of relatives. That announcement, meant for family members, almost cost my mom several thousand dollars.
How do we protect ourselves from online predators?
The Case for Privacy
Do you have friends that post pictures of their every waking moment? There are people on the Web that I've never met, but yet I've seen every day of their child's life. It's been a virtual tour of the child's first ultrasound, first breath, first time at church, first solid food, first birthday and first Christmas.
How do we protect our right to privacy?
When TMI is Too Much Information
The search engines encourage people to tell their personal stories. Maybe personal isn't the right word. Some writers take this encouragement to a level that is uncomfortable for many readers. I love reading stories about how people overcome challenges and adversities. I feel uncomfortable when these stories shed a bad light on another person. I quit reading stories that only talk about the negative side of the story without showing how the problem was overcome. This negativity is not productive.
How do we protect our integrity?
What Can You Do?
Avoiding predators, safeguarding privacy and promoting integrity are big jobs and these are essential jobs if the Web is to remain a safe, clean and healthy place to play and work. Here's how you can make a difference.
As a Web writer who shares personal stories in how-to articles, recipes and family tales, I always ask myself a few questions before I click the Publish button.
- Would I share this with an absolute and total stranger?
- How much of my personal life do I want exposed to the entire world?
- What impact will my story have on the lives of others?
- Does my story share a useful skill or give the reader a positive feeling?
Until next week, be safe.
Coletta
Posted by Coletta Teske

About This Contributor
Coletta Teske writes reviews on books, business management, writing, crafting, cooking, and gardening. She is also an avid recycler and shares her tips on recycling. She delights in upcycling an old object, recycling or transforming discarded items into a new treasure.
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