I’m not a big fan of acronyms but they’re a big part of the way we speak and write.  Listed below are some common acronyms that everyone should know. 

24/7 –  24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week

AA –  Alcoholics Anonymous

AC –  Air Conditioning

AD –  In the Year of Our Lord

AKA –  Also Known As

ASAP –  As Soon As Possible

ATM –  Automated Teller Machine

B&B –  Bed and Breakfast

BC –  Before Christ

BCE –  Before the Common Era

BLT –  Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato

CC –  Credit Card

CST –  Central Standard Time

CSV –  Comma Separated Value

DIY –  Do it Yourself

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1. Makes research a lot easier.
2. The fact that you already know something about a particular subject matter is a strong indication that your new project will be more fun than work.
3. It will increase the probability of success.
4. The final product will be easier to promote because you most likely already have a circle of friends who share this common interest.
5. This circle will serve as an automatic support system which is an essential source of motivation.

I tried to go 14 days without computer, internet and email but failed miserably.  I managed 4 days before giving up.  These are my journal entries:

May 12th
10:00 a.m.  Very difficult not to start my day by reading email and online news.

10:55 p.m.  Happy I made it through the day.  The temptation to turn on my computer was stronger than I thought it would be.  The next 13 days will be difficult.

May 13th
8:26 a.m.  Feeling anxious without access to a computer.  Calm myself by looking at photos.

10:47 p.m.  Depressive unproductive day; not sure if it was caused by the computer restriction.  I did manage to write a poem. 

May 14th
8:08 a.m.  Good feeling about today.  Had a great work out and plan to get a lot of writing done.  Who needs a computer?

10:45 p.m.  Wanted to look up a synonym for the word conspicuous but couldn’t because I don’t own a physical dictionary.  Got some writing done but not as much as I thought I would do. 

May 15th
11:00 a.m.  I dislike talking on the phone but have been forced to rely on it since this experiment. 

10:26 p.m.  This is the dumbest idea I’ve ever had.  Don’t think that I’ve ever felt this lonely – this stranded. 

One label is correct the other is not.  Can you find the mistake?
Hint:  it’s in the word MINZSTARK

We all know how important it is to backup our work, but did you also know that it’s possible to backup a whole blog in Wordpress. 

Here’s how:

Manage ==> Export ==> Download Export File ==> Save

After you have saved the file to your computer then email it to yourself.  This allows for extra security.  The file will be especially safe in a google or yahoo email account.

A year ago, on a whim, I started Jenue’s Journal.

I wanted to take a few minutes to give myself a big pat on the back for a job well done.  The site looks great, don’t you think?

My favorite four online writing sites, in the order of preference, are: Urbis, GoodReads, Facebook and My Writers Circle.

Urbis lets a writer post their work, have it critiqued by strangers with the qualifications of the writer’s choice, and gives said work exposure to publishers.  The site works with credit and debit points.  You earn credits by reviewing the work of others.  These credits can then be used to unlock the critiques that other users have given you.  This is a perfect system that allows everyone to get an equal amount of attention to his or her submission. 

The one complaint that I have about Urbis is that people are allowed to critique the critique that you gave to someone’s work.  I find this infraction all kinds of anal but it’s worth overlooking due to the site’s degree of excellence.  Steve Urbis, founder of Urbis.com, is half genius.  I’ll promote him to full genius once the little bugs and annoyances have been smoothed out.  

GoodReads is more for readers than writers but the site offers a small place where anyone can post their own written work.  These works can then be voted upon by other users.  This website also gives already published authors a way to promote their book.  I, however, can not evaluate this feature of GoodReads because I was only able to use the site as an unpublished writer. 

Facebook has many groups dedicated to writing, publishing, and the literary arts.  This site is a great source of information.  It’s also a great place to connect and network with other writers. 

My Writers Circle is a big discussion board.  You’re allowed to post your work for review, ask questions, or just hang out and enjoy being in the company of other writers. There are several drawbacks.  This site does not have a system that encourages reviewing the work of others thus longer works don’t get the same attention as shorter submissions.  The site is not aesthetically pleasing and navigation is a bit clumsy.

These are my favorite four but I’d love to know where other writers go for support.  Tell the readers of Jenue’s Journal where your favorite writing hot spot is by leaving a comment. 

In life, as well as the writing/publishing industry, there’s one rule that must be remembered to succeed. 

There’s no such word as friend. 

Memorize it, write in on your wall, tattoo it on your arm.

The dictionary definitions of suspense include:

uncertainty: the state or condition of being unsure or in doubt about something

enjoyable tension: a feeling of tense excitement about how something such as a mystery novel or movie will end

anxiety: a state of anxiety or intense worry about something

Let’s examine ways that a writer can evoke these feeling to her audience.
Here are some ways to create suspense:

• You need a good plot.  Take the time to map out exactly what you have in your head.  I find that an outline is extremely helpful.

• Set the scene and mood to draw the reader into the story.  This might take a lot of description.

• Use believable characters.  If your reader can relate to your character, especially the main character, s/he will be more likely to feel a connection with the story.  This connection will pull them into the scene and allow them to feel the tension that you will later create. 

• Don’t give your reader all the information at once.  Slowly feed them the story.  Give them a chance to look forward to what will happen next. 

• Show what your characters are doing.  My rule is to describe the scene and setting but show the characters movements and emotions. 

• Use suspenseful words and phrases as you build to the climax.

Creating a suspenseful story is the trait of a skilled writer. It takes lots of practice.  It took me a while to figure out the points listed above.  I’m still practicing so give it time.