August 2008
The Totally Mind Boggling Realm of Cyber Bingo
World Wide Web bingo is turning out to be ever more renowned in the UK. Pursuant to smoking having been banned in most public places, countless time-honoured bingo gaming places have discontinued — of course, this has brought about countless establishments putting up net bingo as a replacement. Superstar recommendations as publicized by the Osbournes and many others have been of great assistance in advancing the fashionability of WWW bingo — comprising around 2.5-3 million people now having a regular game.
Nowadays we’re able to choose between a few net bingo web sites, all and sundry promoting to their supporters truly fabulous jackpots and other restricted rewards, for example hot cars, movie premiere tickets and luxury holidays. Another particularly great aspect of net bingo is that all people can play it round the clock, wherever you have a Net account. With games taking off every 21 minutes or faster, you will be able to arrange bingo seamlessly with your routine life. At first people believed that the group aspect of bingo gaming would be liable to suffer because of this shift away from time-honoured bingo gaming places — yet bingo players in Great Britain are proving the skeptics wrong. An exploding number have moved over to the forums made available by zillions of net bingo establishments.
Here, anyone can make a vast number of new friends, take advantage of world class tournaments and become fully immersed in other bingo groups. Likewise, independent research reports have ascertained that one is more likely to gather mega bucks wagering bingo than with other forms of having a flutter for example the the tombola and sportsbook bets. And if you become somewhat uninterested in bingo, uncountable net bingo web sites have included an array of alternate amusements. These may be anything from number games and slots, thru caption tourneys and tests. With so much so much diversity, it might prove a bit puzzling to determine which bingo firm to register with. It pays out to run some research and check out who is now propounding the finest signup bonuses. Thousands of net bingo web sites will let you try a certain number of free world wide web bingo games or reciprocate any cash deposit.
If your cronies have already selected any given net bingo site, you may want to give a thought to joining in because networking will add to the pleasure!:)
Your Transnational Real Estate Market — Expedited by The Property Index
Though PropertyIndex.com is a new kid on the block enterprise, incorporated in March 2007, they have very swiftly proven their mettle. As a matter of fact, they are a incredibly trouble-free enterprise fully concentrated on counseling essentially anyone expecting to sell, buy etc. property in the most popular regions of the world. Their assurance: to help you out find squarely what you require fast and, likewise, without hassle.
Property is available for the asking all over the place nowadays, certainly the coolest area being properties available for sale in the United States. It should really be easy to determine the superb properties available for sale in the United States, the motivation for looking for land here is the houses and apartments available for sale and the terrific option of spending your life between such a vibrant people. It’s one of the most sought after markets nowadays, and in view of the lovely landscape and the great climate surrounding you here, how could you conceivably say no? Property in the United States is steeped in history, art and culture, this realm of the world has been and still is home to several nations.
The Property Index site has a vast range of property for sale in America, view the range online.
Just thirty years back there was merely a tiny number of English keen on properties in the United States. Ask any one single person who has chosen to remove to the United States and they’ll tell you the same thing. Lots of people would prefer to view it as a plain craze and others prefer to view it as a that’s nearly a fixation! People who will actually move to this place will range from young working couples looking for some new challenge to pensioners who want to loosen up and enjoy themselves. There may be bugbears when purchasing properties in a foreign market — there’ll be dozens of varied steps be it when scheduling, paying a visit or finalizing the deal. If you miss out on one single procedure that is sure to well bring about wide-ranging bugbears plus, preeminently, a financial trouncing.
Obviously and expectably with this sought after region, properties may be dear in this area and that is plainly a result of the peaking demand. Nonetheless the client is presently very spoilt for choice in such a place full of terrific land and cheery vista. It can boast the lot anyone might fancy, etc.
Making the Human Brain Stronger; A Theory
Is it possible to make the human brain thicker; meaning more connections and able to work more efficiently? Well if thickening the brain would in fact do this, yes there may very well be a way to make it thicker. How so you ask? Well I have this theory you see?
A few years back I had once thought on using sound waves, microwaves at low power settings, perhaps even directed energy of some sort, we may be able to thicken the brain. Of course if we did this we would need a healthy brain, which had all the right nutrients, along with special amino acids and during the process we would need higher rates of cardiovascular levels to continue cooling. How do I know this will even work? Well, I am not sure if that would work, but the brains seems to deliver to itself defenses against such things which may cause it to strengthen and protect its self allowing the brain protect its self. I think I wrote an article on that theory and I will have to dig it up one of these days.
My concept was to make a normal human brain better, stronger and faster in processing without over heating it. This would allow human-computer interfaces or plug in memory chips to work at very high rates of speed; has military applications, etc. And well who knows it might even help autistic children some how; although I must admit I do not have any children and I do not know much about autism, so it is hard for me to consider all these points fully because I have not read enough on the subject to be properly versed.
Just observational experiences thus far. Anyway the brain is a fascinating subject and one of my favorites. Perhaps some one will read this article and ponder on this theory of mine somewhere out there in cyber space. Consider all this in 2006.
“Lance Winslow” – Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/
7 Killer Ways To Maximize Your Fat Burning In The Gym
Hey, we all want to shed some pounds and get back to the body that we had when we were younger and didn’t appreciate it but it takes discipline, planning, and dedication to make that happen. All too often people shed 10 or 15 pounds and then seem to stop losing weight. There is definitely a reason this happens and it should not be seen as failure or an excuse to give up on your weight loss goals. Here are 7 absolutely killer ways to maximize your fat burning routine and help ensure success with your weight loss goals.
1) Anaerobic Exercise
If you think you can just run laps or pedal that fat away, think again. Muscle tissue is what burns the most calories in our bodies and you need to life weights in order to create bigger muscles that will burn more calories. Now although aerobic exercises such as cycling or swimming are also necessary, the fact remains that building bigger muscles is the best way to lose weight and keep it off. This is because you are creating a more efficient calorie burning machine by lifting weights which will ensure you success with your weight loss goals.
2) Warm-up and Cool Down
Warming up before exercising and taking the time to cool down afterwards with some light exercises are not generally seen as essential to a fat burning program. However, the reason why a lot of people tend to give up on their weight loss goals is because they failed to see the progress they hoped for when they began. An injury, even one that only lasts for a few days, can set your weight loss goals back by weeks and lead to a loss of stimulation. You need to plan an extra twenty minutes into your weight lifting routine for these two essential activities or you risk injury and derailing your weight loss plan.
3) Diet, Diet, Diet
This should not be a killer way to maximize your weight loss goals but it is. The reason for this is because people tend to think of losing weight in two ways: diet, or exercise. Hey, these two go hand in hand and you are never going to maximize your fat burning routine in the gym unless you take care of your body outside of the gym. Stop thinking of meals in terms of three: instead, think 5 meals with smaller portions. The FDA recently developed a new food pyramid with this very idea in mind and you should check it out before starting your fat burning program because it can save you a lot of time and energy if you get the diet part figured out before even stepping into the gym.
4) Plan Workouts
The body is the most complex machine on the planet and you can’t just hope to step into a gym and jump on a machine or some weights and think that you are going to see the results you want without knowing how they affect your body. The ideal exercise routine is done only 3 or 4 times per week and only for 30-45 minutes at a time. You cannot work your body more than this because it will actually cause your muscles to break down which means you will be burning fewer calories, and therefore, not maximizing your fat burning routine in the gym. If you have any doubts about what kind of routine is ideal for your goals, don’t be afraid to consult an physical trainer to help you set up a program that is best suited for you.
5) Nutritional Supplements
If you really want to maximize your fat burning routine in the gym, then you need to consider using nutritional supplements. Now I am not talking about those crazy supplements that promise to burn fat for you while you sit and watch tv! I am talking about essential fatty acids, amino acids, whey protein….things that will truly maximize your workouts that you can’t always expect to get in the foods you eat every day. Again, consult a physical trainer if you want to know which supplements are best for your weight loss goals.
6) Set Weekly Goals
I know that this just seems terribly obvious but the truth is that most people are not thrilled with the idea of working out so it is easy for them to skip a session or indulge in some pizza and think that they will make up for it next time. Listen, next time never comes and when you stop seeing the scales go down, the motivation just seems to stop. By setting weekly goals, you can track your progress and make it that much more likely that you will adhere to the goals when you see things are not going as expected.
7) No More Late Night Snacks
This one may not seem to make sense, but I assure you that it will help maximize your fat burning exercises. The reason is your metabolism. When you eat right before you go to bed, it throws your body off and you probably notice that you awaken and don’t feel hungry. Then, you skip breakfast entirely or only snack on a bagel or something on you way into work.
The result: the body goes into conservation mode. This means that it slows down your metabolism and that means you are burning less calories throughout the day. Plus, it increases the likelihood of snacking and basically just sets the scene for a bad cycle. Eating five smaller portioned meals per day also has to do with your metabolism as it has been found that metabolism remains highest when there is a consistent supply of food in the body. You might not believe that late night snacking affects the way your body burns fat when working out, but it does.
Now some of the things listed above are obvious while some just seem silly. And yet, taken together and consistently adhered to, these 7 little ideas will maximize your fat burning in the gym and get you to that body you can see in your mind but not the mirror far quicker than if you just go about things in a disorganized and inconsistent manner.
Wesley Atkins is a fitness and nutrition coach. His website “The Low GI Diet Breakthrough” reveals his inside secrets, tips, and resources that allow his students to routinely lose up to 19 pounds in just 21 days. To claim your free report visit: www.lowgidietbreakthrough.com
Outdoor Decks – Understanding Seven Elements of Good Deck Design
You’re all comfortable in your favorite lounge chair, reading your latest novel with a cool beverage nearby…the aroma of your favorite BBQ drifting from the grill teases everyone…catching a few rays of sunshine never felt better. Warm weather calls us outdoors, and what better place to enjoy life than your deck!
As an extension of your home, a deck can provide an attractive outdoor area that you can enjoy every time the weather allows. Whether just hanging out and lounging, entertaining or playing with your kids or pet, a well-designed deck can be a favorite part of your home. Understanding important deck design and planning considerations will help your deck become a successful project.
Here are some considerations for having the deck that’s right for your home:
1. Where should your deck be placed? A characteristic of good deck design is when the deck can merge into the environment of your backyard without being obtrusive and highly visible. If you’re fortunate and have a great view, take advantage of the view and locate the deck to enjoy it. If you don’t have a spectacular view, perhaps your deck could be located near a beautiful garden tree. Maybe you want your deck in a shady area or with a sunny southern exposure. Is privacy from neighbors an issue? Are you near a busy street and is noise a problem? If so and if your space is limited, consider the use of shrubbery, walls or fences to resolve the problem.
2. Will the deck be connected to your home? If you are considering placing your deck near the living room, doing so could be a problem if foot traffic will soil your carpets and disrupt anyone that is watching TV or talking. Placing the deck next to the kitchen will make it easier to move food and dishes back and forth when eating outside on the deck. Use sliding glass doors to make the outdoors look even more inviting from the kitchen. Would having two doors connecting different rooms to the deck be a possibility? Having two doors accessing the deck will be the most efficient and best solution for easy foot traffic flow.
3. Do you want a destination deck? The deck doesn’t have to be built connected to your house; it can be a place to go all by itself. If your backyard extends to woods, maybe locating the deck near some beautiful trees makes sense. If your property fronts a pond or lake, what about locating your deck so that it reaches out into the water? If you have a flat roof, say, over a garage — what about a roof deck? The possibilities are endless!
4. How will your deck be used? If your property is small and you’re not expecting to entertain large groups, you likely don’t need a huge deck. Your deck should maintain a reasonable scale between your home and property size, size of your family and the deck size. You should not have a small house, small property and a very large deck. The elements should be proportional. You should not build a small deck if you have a large house on large property.
5. Are you considering dividing your deck into different areas? For example, you could have an area for lounging, sunning or reading and another area for dining, entertaining and cooking. Involve your family and make a list of the activities you would like to have. You may want to include a section for children’s games and playtime. Have a good idea of how traffic will flow on the deck and in your backyard. Understand how family, friends and pets will be walking from the front of the house to the backyard, from the garage to the kitchen, from the greenhouse or tool shed to the garden and so on. If you are going to have a deck area for relaxation, you don’t want all the traffic coming out of the house to merge into this area.
6. What shape deck is best for your home? When designing your deck, consider using a variety of shapes. Keep it simple, but don’t be afraid to add an angle or two to the deck design. For example, add curves or diagonal lines to connect two rectangular or square spaces for the deck plan. Connect the different sections with paths, paving surfaces, stairways, arbors, gazebos or perhaps a water pond. Consider using planters or flower pots with attractive plants, overhead structures or trellises, benches and steps to create a transition between areas in the backyard. If you’re not a good gardener, you can still create a low maintenance landscape by using shrubs and other easy-to-care-for plants. Formal landscapes are more symmetrical and use geometric patterns and straight lines. Informal styles use more asymmetry and more curves — wooden decks are often associated with an informal setting.
7. Do you hire a deck designer, do you use deck plans or do you design the deck yourself? Consider using deck plans if you can find plans that you like. One of the best ways to simplify deck building is to use deck plans that have been successfully built before. If you need to make some modifications to suit your needs and home, doing so will likely be cheaper than creating deck plans from the beginning. Unless you live in a very rural area, you will need to check with your local building department to find out what requirements and restrictions exist in your area, especially if you are designing and building the deck yourself. If you’re not comfortable with the process, consider hiring a professional deck designer and a deck contractor.
Done correctly, building a deck will provide countless hours of enjoyment for you, your family and friends as well as increase the value of your home. After all, isn’t enjoying our time off why we work so hard? Visit Building Wooden Decks and learn more about creating the perfect deck for you and your home.
Copyright 2005 InfoSearch Publishing
David Buster is Vice-President of InfoSearch Publishing and webmaster of http://www.yourdreamloghome.com – visit the website to learn more about home decorating and remodeling, backyard living, home plans, kitchen and bathroom design and décor tips, home storage, fireplaces, log cabin rentals and more. Receive the free online newsletter by going to Better Home Ideas Newsletter to subscribe.
A Simple Question We All Wonder – Are Debt Settlement Companies Scams?
Are debt settlement companies scams? It’s a simple question so does it have a simple answer?
Along with the genuinely helpful firms, there are plenty of operations billing themselves as legit debt settlement companies. These debt company scams prey on debtors by promising relieved debt and empty their pockets forcing payment of outrageous fees.
For starters, scams are a fixture on Internet pages scattered through the net. From ’scamdicapper’ sites that ‘highway rob’ bettors & gamblers of their wager earnings to false charity sites, the best debt negotiation companies are hard to come by.
There are plenty of operations billing themselves as legit debt settlement companies. These debt company scams prey on debtors by promising relieved debt and empty their pockets forcing payment of outrageous fees.
As A Debtor It’s Your Job To Be Careful When Getting Out Of Debt
Although hundreds of debt settlement companies scams are reported to the FBI by debtors and investigated by the Federal Trade Commission every day, there are some solid, bona fide debt settlement companies out there. Avoid the sketchy operations of scam companies by becoming acquainted with the best companies for debt negotiation.
Click on the menu choices on the top left for the best debt settlement companies listed at the bottom of each page. Only bonafide companies get rated.
The Debt Reduction Guide lists the internet’s best companies known for catering to their debtors, many with a free debt negotiation plan without any obligation to join any service.
As with many businesses and operations, scam companies are as common as taxis in metropolitan areas. Discovering the top debt settlement companies and avoiding debt company scams is best achieved through solid research, thorough review of available resources, and the information splashed onto the pages of this debt negotiation and debt settlement site.
Remember, if you encounter scam companies or aren’t sure of their legit status contact your Consumer Affairs or the Better Business Bureau, watchdogs against debt company scams and advocators of legitimate, truthworthy ones.
With a little legwork, sidestepping scam companies will become a dance.
Helpful experts providing all the usefull advice you’ll need for debt reduction, credit card debt elimination, the best online consolidation loans, visit The Debt Reduction Guide
Genital wart facts
Genital warts are a type of wart that are only found on your private parts of the body. The genital wart is one that will be easily recognized. Genital warts are also known as veneral warts and also as condylmata acuminata. Warts in this manner are caused by a skin infection, which is known as PHV infection. It is possible to have the HPV infection without having genital warts. Genital warts are often passed along during sexual intercourse, but not all those who have genital warts are going to know they are infected until the warts are bigger and a little more painful.
Warts are a virus, that can be passed by touching, sitting and skin to skin contact. The most common types of warts are seen on people’s hands and feet, which are a different form of a wart but are generally the same thing if you are wondering what genital warts really are.
Warts are associated with the tumors that form under and in the skin. The tumors are forms of the HPV infection, and will form warts as the body rids the infection from the body. If you have warts on the hand or on the feet, you are not going to spread this to your genitals. If you know someone who has genital warts, they are not going to give you warts on your hands and the same goes the other way around.
For the woman, if you have genital warts, they will appear on the inside and the outside of the vagina. If the woman has anal sex, the genital warts could appear an the anus, and the same is for the man. If a man is having anal sex with another, the genital warts could appear on the anus area as well.
The warts will appear in the same area, taking a long time to spread out. Sometimes the warts will disappear on their own, but only in rare cases often times the genital warts will spread becoming crusty and become large areas of warts over the private areas of a male or female. If you have genital warts, and someone performs oral sex, the genital warts can be transmitted to that person. Genital warts can be treated by a doctor, and with medications. If not treated, often times genital warts can become troublesome not only for the person suffering with them, but for people you love and want to share that special relationship with.
If you have sex with someone that you later finds out has genital warts, you most likely are going to end up with genital warts are well. It can take any where from one month to three months for genital warts to appear and become large enough for a person to notice them. Always protect yourself by avoiding having sex with anyone you don’t know or trust not to have genital warts.
You can find more info about genital warts on http://www.all-about-genital-wart.com/
Kenneth Langlet is the owner of the site www.all-about-genital-wart.com/ where you can find more info about genital warts.
Cell Phones – Weigh the Costs
If you’re considering your first cell phone, there are some specific things to consider. How you plan to use your phone and what kind of plan you want for your phone are a couple of the points that you should keep in mind. Take a look at some of the common issues that people face when buying cell phones.
Free phones are one of the most common gimmicks cell phone service providers use to get your business. Cell phones are expensive, and the newer designs and technology are often very expensive. But you have to weigh the cost of the particular cell phone being offered in with the cost of your phone plan.
If you’re considering a company that offers a specific cell phone for free, find out how much that phone retails for. Check the price from the company you’re working with and from some competitors. If the phone only retails for $100 or so (and yes, there are cell phones still available in that price range), the phone probably doesn’t have the latest security and may not have some important technologies. You may find that your phone plan includes free mobile-to-mobile calling, but calls to and from that particular phone model are still charged as usual. In a case like this, you may be better off purchasing your phone outright instead of signing a contract that will keep your service constant for a set period of time.
Carefully consider insurance when you take out your phone policy. Some people simply buy the insurance without a second thought while others say it’s not worth it. Both may be wasting money. If you have an older cell phone or an inexpensive model, the insurance may be a waste. But cell phones aren’t especially durable and you may find that you’re running the risk of being without a cell phone if you don’t take out the policy.
Check the cost of your phone if you had to replace it. Add up the total amount of the insurance over the course of your contract (remember that you’ll probably be eligible for a new phone free or at a reduced cost when the contract is to be renewed) and compare that to the cost of replacing the phone. Like any insurance policy, the rest is a simple matter of weighing the risks.
Jeff Lakie is the founder of Cell Phone Resources a website providing information on Cell Phones
Big Companies Bring High Speed Gaming Laptops to Everybody
Not so long a go it appeared like gaming laptops were only attainable from special system builders and they were traditionally custom made. They were tiny volume sellers and massive profit generating laptops. I reckon most people would agree they always wanted a gaming laptop however it was just out of bounds for the majority. Obviously as they were so state of the art they were the best laptops in relation to speed. They probably weren’t great sellers though because I believe the majority of us buy laptops that we can effortlessly afford. As larger manufacturers see the opportunities in the gaming laptop sector, stuff seems to have altered.
Just think about how much profit these companies could be generating especially when employing production levels. This could be one of the few margin generating ranges they have as they make nothing on the majority of others because of the overwhelming competition. In my view larger manufacturers can use leverage to convince prospects to buy laptops regardless of cost. I do not know what this will do to smaller retailers however it will have a negative effect on them. I say this because now the technology which was once premium and high priced is now mass market. Also buyers just look to trust bigger brands more.
The laptop computers being launched by brand name manufacturers are all contending for the best laptop status. This is a major opportunity the littler system builders should apply to their advantage. I can predict the ability of being able to configure the laptop to be a cardinal buying decision. This type of consumer is usually well versed in the technology and can evaluate the specifications. For people of this sort, what it can do typically is of greater significance than how it looks.
This could be viewed as a good change for the customer. It will induce prices to shrink and make high end technology low cost for everyone. Its tough to say what could take place really as the industry is a fast moving one. New laptops are continuously coming out and that should keep costs constantly high. We will discover what we can expect from the gaming laptop markets large brands.
This company (http://www.rizeon.com/gaming_laptops/page.php) is providing a couple of excellent laptops for gaming at very low prices.
How To Avoid Viewpoint Slips
Sit back, and imagine what it feels like to be you. Now that shouldn’t be too hard – you’ve lived in your own skin for a long time.
- Do you feel happy or sad?
- Do you feel on edge or relaxed?
- Do you feel tired or energetic?
- Do you feel angry or calm?
Now think about how you know these things.
You have various bodily symptoms that accurately represent your feelings. “Happiness” feels light and contented. You might be sitting there quietly humming a tune. You might be suffused with a quiet feeling of well being.
“Sadness” is different. If you’re sad, the world suddenly seems a grey, cheerless place. There’s a heaviness in your chest, and maybe even a silent cry of despair that you’re aching to let go. Perhaps you have a lump in your throat from trying to hold back the tears; trying to keep a stiff upper lip.
That’s what it FEELS like to be you when you’re happy or sad.
Now imagine you’re going to nip across into someone else’s body for a moment. Someone standing across the room looking at you. How can that person tell that you’re happy?
They might see a slight smile tugging at the corners of your mouth. You just can’t help showing your happiness. They can hear you humming softly. Your eyes sparkle. Your voice sounds upbeat and happy.
How might they know if you’re sad? They can’t, after all, FEEL that heavy weight in your chest. They can’t know that you’re so, so close to letting out a wail of despair. They can’t know about that lump in your throat.
But they know you’re sad. They can see the dullness in your eyes; the slump in your posture. They might be able to detect a quiver in your lips as you try not to cry. They can hear the despair or flatness in your voice.
In short: you, the viewpoint character, know what it FEELS like to be you. You’re looking at the world from the inside.
The onlooker can put together information only from what they can SEE. They’re looking at you from the outside.
1. Reap the Benefits of Deep Viewpoint
Every writer wants readers to become deeply immersed in the characters they invent. In effect, when someone reads, they ‘become’ the main person in the scene. The deeper inside that person’s viewpoint you can help the reader go, the more convinced the reader is that this character is ‘real’.
The easiest way to achieve this reader identification is to help them experience what it feels like to be that person – not to tell the reader by looking on from the outside.
2. Some Examples: (1) In Deep POV And (2) As An Onlooker
Here are a few examples to help you remember the difference.
1. HAPPINESS. In deep POV: a surging feeling of joy or quiet happiness; a desire to smile at everyone you see; talking to people with a smile on your face. The onlooker sees: a cheerful face; a ready laugh; a light, quick walk; humming or whistling a happy tune.
2. ANGER. In deep POV: your chest feels as though it might burst with fury; you breathe in short gasps; you want to punch or hurt someone; you feel like bursting into tears of rage; you feel the blood rush to your head. The onlooker sees: eyes glaring; a red face; lips thinning, words uttered in haste or a shout; a punch being thrown, objects being tossed aside; an aggressive stance (hands on hips).
3. What About Describing A Character’s Features?
This is where a lot of writers run into trouble. Torn by the need to ’show’ the reader what a character looks like, they hop in and out of the main character’s mind at dizzying speed.
If you start out in a character’s mind, it’s best to stay there for the duration of the scene. (Yes, I know there is debate in literary circles about this, and there always will be. What you have to decide is what is best for your character.)
Why is it best to stay in your character’s mind? The single most important reason is that your reader will identify more closely with your character. They more or less become that person. (Well, they will if you write well enough!)
At this point I’ll return to what it feels like to be you. That’s where we started, remember? You’re the only one who knows what it really feels like to live in your skin and in your mind. That’s what you need to aim for when it comes to your character. Become that person!
Therefore, if you are living inside that person’s skin, then you can’t know what he/she looks like from the outside. (Not unless your character walks around with a hand-held mirror all the time. And is vain enough to keep looking into it.)
So… resist the temptation to write something like this:
Viv sat on the rocks, her hazel eyes on the gulls swooping down at the water. It was decision time. Should she go with Chris’s squad or not? He was dynamic and encouraging. His team would do anything for him. But he didn’t get the same results as Blake. Blake could reduce her to tears with his scathing comments, true – but she knew it was all so she’d dig deep for that extra bit of effort that would earn her the win. She sighed, and ran her fingers through her short blonde hair. It would be a heck of a lot easier if someone would just tell her what to do. Idly, she tossed another rock into the lapping waves, not realizing that the frown on her face made her look exactly like her mother in one of her uncompromising moods.
Have you picked out the parts that pull the reader out of Viv’s body, thus giving the impression of an ‘onlooker’ present? There are three.
1. “…her HAZEL eyes…”. Viv can’t see the colour of her own eyes – only an onlooker would be able to see that. Nor is she likely to be thinking about the colour of her eyes at a time like this. By mentioning the colour, you make the reader aware that ’someone else’ is in the scene looking AT Viv, rather than ‘being’ her.2. “…and ran her fingers through her short BLONDE hair.” It’s entirely possible that she would be able to feel that her hair is short while she performs this action (although it’s not likely she’d be thinking about it) but she can’t see the colour of her hair. If she had *long* hair, and the wind was blowing it in front of her eyes, you could perhaps say ’she brushed aside the strands of blonde hair blowing in her eyes’.
3. “…not realizing that the frown on her face made her look exactly like her mother in one of her uncompromising moods”. Ugh. This structure is B-A-D! For a start, the author has written ‘…not realizing that…’. If she doesn’t realize it, then it’s not in her mind at all – so why mention it? And there is no way that Viv can know that the frown on her face is making her look like her mother in one of her moods. Very clumsy!
If you want to show what a character looks like, do it later in a scene from someone else’s viewpoint. If someone is looking at Viv, they would be able to see things like the colour of her hair and eyes and the way her frown makes her look like her mother. But Viv can’t see these things herself… so if you want to stay deep inside her skin, don’t fall into the trap of showing them.
And that will make you a better writer.
(c) Copyright Marg McAlister
Marg McAlister has published magazine articles, short stories, books for children, ezines, promotional material, sales letters and web content. She has written 5 distance education courses on writing, and her online help for writers is popular all over the world. Sign up for her regular writers’ tipsheet at http://www.writing4success.com/