Photo Credit: Ostrich Egg Carvings |
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Uniquely Brilliant
Monday, March 10, 2014
The Squidoo Community Sharing Mid-Atlantic Tales
Sunday, March 9, 2014
Reviews of Movies about Parties and Occasions
Wedding Movies
The Party Planning niche on Squidoo has had a very busy couple of weeks. I published my newest curation list filled with party movies and have had people write some terrific reviews.
The movie list has a little bit of something for everyone including all sorts of parties and occasions like:
- Weddings
- Graduations
- Anniversaries
- Baby Showers
- Bachelor Parties
- Beach Parties
- and even children's parties
My Big Fat Greek Wedding
I love this movie and so does Lensmaster wir55. She wrote an awesome review of the quirky, romantic comedy.
I agree with her (and the story line) that families are so very loving but can be overwhelming all at the same time. Sorting through the emotions can lead to some humorous incidents in our lives.
I think this film brings home the fact that you marry the whole family when you marry your spouse!
I think one of my favorite parts of the film is watching Toula grow and change into the self-confident person her mother always knew she was. Yes, mothers know more than any of us give them credit for, more often than not.
Like the movie, this review is definitely worth reading. Thanks wir55!
Runaway Bride
This review was by our very own BuckHawk -- aka Susan. I love Julia Roberts and have seen every single film she has made. There is just something about her that comes across the screen as genuine.
As Susan said in her review of the movie, it's a film you can watch over and over. I still laugh at all the same parts but usually find a new bit of humor each time I watch.
The pairing of Julia and Richard is classic. Their chemistry and penchant for straight-faced humor is unmatched. It's definitely one of my all time favorite romantic comedies.
Thanks for the review, Susan. I really enjoyed it.
Monster-in-Law
This movie about an interfering mother-in-law was reviewed by VeganEater. Again, a cute movie with a wedding and romance as a central theme. This time, it also involves a mom professing to be protecting her son from his future wife.
VeganEater shares her impressions of all the characters as well as which are her favorite. Surprisingly, it's not any of the leads. You'll have to read her review to find out!
This movie stars Jennifer Lopez and Jane Fonda. They are perfect and play very well off each other. It's funny how the son/fiance is oblivious to what is actually going on. (I think I know a few men that fit that can have the same problem at times...)
Your Turn
There's still plenty more party type movies on the list if you want to try your hand at reviewing one. It's easy! What are you waiting for?
Saturday, March 8, 2014
Recycle Words to Create a Compelling Story
Reduce Vague Introductions and Reuse Powerful Statements
Words are more than just a combination of letters. Words make the world go round. Words entertain. Words spread information. Words build relationships. You don't need a college education to use words effectively. It's all in the way you tell your story.
Here are six simple strategies to craft compelling, clear and concise reviews, recipes and how-to articles.
Get Right to the Point
Capture your reader's attention in the first sentence. Starting a story with a quick and striking statement of fact can be very effective. Make this first sentence simple, direct and brief. Readers will stick around to read your story when you tell them the central and vital fact of your story at the very beginning.
Put Your Best Foot Forward
Phrases and word choices can lure a reader in or turn a reader away from a story. Statements that distract a reader, phrases that are trite and word meanings that are unclear are sure-fire ways to keep an audience from reading a story to the ending.
Here are a few tricks for writing a strong story introduction:
- Avoid beginning a story by asking your readers an "If" statement. When a reader is asked, "If you were...?" or "How would you like it if...?" the reader's mind will want to answer the question and will forget to finish the story.
- Find creative ways to begin stories and paragraphs. Using "a," "an" or "the" as the first word in a story or paragraph isn't very creative. Choose a word that is virile, a word that shows action.
- Don't start with a time or date. Whether something occurred today or yesterday doesn't really matter. There are other things to be said which are more important.
Keep It Simple
Fancy words and phrases that require a dictionary can be a turn-off for some readers. Use common words and short sentences. Remember, you are writing for your readers and for your reader's enjoyment.
Be Honest
Always tell the truth in the stories you write. Don't exaggerate. Don't distort the facts. Just tell the truth, the plain truth.
Interview Interesting People
Adding another person's point of view, telling another person's tale or validating your story with an expert quote creates interest. Using quotes from others brightens up a story and gives it life.
Reveal Your Sources
Anonymous interviews, general statements, inferences and implied accusations weaken a story and cause a writer to lose credibility. Every fact and every expert statement must be cited. Tell readers where you found your expert quotes, statistics and factual information.
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, March 7, 2014
I'm the Cooking for the Holidays Contributor on Review This!
As the Cooking for the Holidays Contributor on Review This, I will not only be seeking and sharing awesome holiday recipes, but I also plan to share the ways we prepare to serve multiple meals during the holidays, our time saving tips, as well as the sanity saving tips, that we all need when cooking for the holidays.
Websites are brimming with fabulous holiday recipes and special treats. Many of which, have been handed down for generations. Other recipes are straight from the pages of our favorite cookbook and they have been tried and proven for years.
I love new recipes and new cookbooks! We all want to be ready for the next holiday by having the right cookbooks on hand when needed. So, I will also be searching for great cookbooks to recommend, as well as reviews to feature.
I would also love it if you would share your holiday preparation articles, time saving ideas, or survival tips for the holidays. If you have published an article on either of those topics, awesome! Simply share that link in our guestbook below.
I am waiting to hear from you!
Cookbooks & Recipes Reviewed Here on Review This
For More About Sylvestermouse, Visit: About Me
Thursday, March 6, 2014
Travel Photography
Document Your Trip with Your Photos
Vacations tend to bring out the photographer in everyone. Even if you don't normally take photographs when people travel they usually like to record memories with photos.When I travel I too love to take photos. I always want to make sure I get photos of the main landmarks of the places I visit, but then I also want to photograph details that I enjoyed about the place. When I visited old Quebec city in Canada one of the things I really noticed was all the unusual window and door decorations. On this page Quebec City you will see how I used the photos of the windows and doors to make a photographic collage. One of the things you do not want to forget on your travel photos is people. Be sure to include those you are traveling with in at least a view of your photos. I took this photo of friends in an entranceway in Quebec City.
Peggy's Cove in Nova Scotia is well known for the lighthouse and I took hundreds of photos of the lighthouse. Peggy's Cove I also found the fishing boats and the rock formations to be interesting so I made sure to capture them in my photographs.
Be sure to share your travel photos in your writing. Everyone like to see interesting photos, especially when you add a story with your photos.
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!
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.
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