Want to become the next big author?

  • Want to become the next big author? Tips and Quips.

  • Could you write your autobiography?

  • Are health-related websites good for your health?

Three questions for you this week, with some more information I hope will be of interest to you.

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Want to become the next big author?

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From Laurie Pawlik-Tienlen, writer and blogger, who writes Tips and Quips for Successful Writers:

‘These writing tips from famous authors will help you learn how to become a writer. After all, the first step to becoming a writer – to calling yourself a “real” writer – is defining what “real writer” means to you. And that’s what these writing tips and quips from famous authors are all about!’

Catch these Tips and Quips at:

theadventurouswriter.com

She continues:

‘To get the ball rolling, here’s one of my favourite quips and tips:

“What I did have, which others perhaps didn’t, was a capacity for sticking at it, which really is the point, not the talent at all. You have to stick at it.” ~ Doris Lessing.

There will be more on becoming the next big author next time.

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Are health-related websites good for your health?

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Last time, I drew your attention to a number of websites which have been accredited with the Information Standard for reliable information on health matters. The internet is an amazing source of information on health related matters, but it is also a place of misleading and downright wrong information for the unwary.

In addition to the 10 sites I posted to the Your Health page at

http://www.the60life.com , here are two more which are certified members of the Information Standard:

1.    At the National Electronic Library for Medicines, you can find out more about a particular drug which may have been prescribed for you by your doctor.

http://www.nelm.nhs.uk

2.    The second site is BootsWebMD , where in addition to lots of health advice for both men and women, you can access a sophisticated symptom checker giving an A-Z of health conditions.

http://www.webmd.boots.com

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Could You Write Your Autobiography?

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In case you missed this last topic time, here’s a writing project with a difference. Could you write your own autobiography?

This report from the website,  laterlife.com:

“Now you can receive expert guidance from published author Jackie Sherman who has been running “Writing your Autobiography” courses since 2008 and for the first time is offering a home-based course for Laterlife visitors with personal feedback at the end of every module.

  • Do you regret not knowing more about your parents or grandparents and don’t want your descendants to feel the same way?
  • Do you have stories in your head that you really want to share?
  • Have you been asked by family or friends to write your memoirs but keep putting it off?
  • Do you want to be a writer but don’t know what to write about, or wonder if you will be good enough?

Or

  • Do you know someone else who is always talking about their life but needs encouragement to put their story down on paper?”

You can check-out the home-based course at

laterlife.com

’til next time.


What you may not know about your health


  • What you may not know about your health
  • How to avoid losing your garden plants to disease
  • Could you write your autobiography?

This week we look at websites providing information on health and related matters. Are they any good? Well, although not infallible, below are three tips on testing the quality of the sites you are accessing.

We also look at a potential problem in the garden. Yes, we are looking at the spectre of disease spreading to our plants this year. Good simple gardening habits may chase this one away.

Ever thought of writing your autobiography? Oh, I see, only the famous qualify for a worthwhile level of readership? Do read on.

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What you may not know about your health

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What you may not know about your health, you may not find out on the internet. The internet is an amazing source of information on health related matters, but it is a place of misleading and downright wrong information for the unwary.

Apart from the erroneous stuff there can be presentation of information that, taken out of context and interpreted by the medically untrained, is utterly scary. So to avoid undue anxiety, you should at least follow the following three search tips:

1.    To identify the seriously informed and balanced treatment of content from the purely frightening and the commercially exploitative, look out for domain names that include endings like .org, .gov ,.edu , or.ac. These names indicate that the site is an academic one, perhaps run by a charity; and is probably a not -for-profit operation.

2.    Search for appropriate websites using words which will bring you a result that is nearest to what you are looking for specifically. For improved relevancy enclose your search words in inverted commas, and be as specific as possible, e.g. “rheumatoid arthritis”, rather than “arthritis” which will throw-up many  more results than you  need.

3.    Lastly, when you access a site look for the Information Standard mark which certifies its reliability.http://www.theinformationstandard.org

For a list of 10 health sites certified by the Information Standard go to the new Your Health page athttp://www.the60life.com/?page_id=579

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How to avoid losing your garden plants to disease

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Here are three tips to help keep your plants healthy and free of disease:

1. Don’t water from the top of the plants. Fungus loves moisture. If
you wet your leaves and stems, you’re just encouraging fungal growth.
It’s better to use a soaker hose so your plants aren’t getting wet.

2. Don’t water at night, especially if it’s humid. Watering at night
keeps things moist for longer. This might be ok if you live in the
desert, but it’s a bad thing if you live where it’s humid. As such
water during the day to give your plant leaves and stems a chance
to dry out. Doing so helps prevent fungal disease.

3. Do clean your tools. Some plant diseases are catchy, like a virus.
You can prevent the spread of disease by frequently cleaning your
tools (and even your shoes) as you tend to your garden.

For a fre.e Organic Gardening Academy e-course go tohttp://www.growingorganicnow.com

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Could You Write Your Autobiography?

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Here’s a writing project with a difference. Could you write your own autobiography?

From laterlife.com:

“Now you can receive expert guidance from published author Jackie Sherman who has been running “Writing your Autobiography” courses since 2008 and for the first time is offering a home-based course for Laterlife visitors with personal feedback at the end of every module.

  • Do you regret not knowing more about your parents or grandparents and don’t want your descendants to feel the same way?
  • Do you have stories in your head that you really want to share?
  • Have you been asked by family or friends to write your memoirs but keep putting it off?
  • Do you want to be a writer but don’t know what to write about, or wonder if you will be good enough?

Or

  • Do you know someone else who is always talking about their life but needs encouragement to put their story down on paper?”

You can check-out the home-based course at

http://www.laterlife.com/laterlife-writing-your-autobiography.htm

Finally, if you haven’t already done so, grab that e-course from The Organic Garden Academy which is available to you now, without charge, athttp://www.growingorganicnow.com

Back soon…

Do remember you can pick-up more regular tips and news athttp://the60life.com

Yours,

Mike Paterson,

The 60Life Weekly

[email protected]

Do you suffer from this frustrating problem?

– Do you suffer from this frustrating problem?
· – 20 Ways to make your Christmas easier
· – Try these amazing seasonal recipes for eating and drinking

Hi,

With clear evidence of Winter outside and Christmas not far away, this week we turn our thoughts to keeping warm and well fed, and preparing for the festive season. Also, we take a quick look at a frustrating problem many writers suffer, and we are introduced to a vast free source of material that can help us with ideas and content for our writing, whether fictional or non-fictional.

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Do you suffer this frustrating problem?
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Debra at publicdomaintreasurehunters.com asks these questions?

‘Are you an idea junkie? Do you have a notebook filled with great ideas? It’s a problem I fight every day.
‘Why is it a problem? It is because great ideas can lead to overwhelm.’

Many of us writing every day have too many ideas and often don’t know where to begin with a writing project. This effects many successful people, and Debra says,

‘Sometimes You Have To Put Things On Hold Even If They Are Good Ideas.’

To catch more on this issue, and to take some inspiration and comfort (and also a sneak peak into the world of the Public Domain), check-out more from Debra at Sometime you have to put things on hold

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20 Ways to make your Christmas easier

Good to Know have got 20 quick tips on how to make cooking for Christmas simple and stress-free, from cheat’s tricks to time-saving tips for classic Christmas recipes. So more time to sip sherry and open presents!

Go to the Good to Know site at

20 Way to make Christmas easier

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Try These Amazing Seasonal Recipes for Eating and Drinking
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Seasonal recipes for winter Eating and drinking hot seasonal food and drink can help to keep you healthy over winter. Most winter fruit and vegetables contain the nutrients you need for the season, and there are lots of great recipes to choose from. Guardian Lifestyle ,a href=”http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/food-and-drink”>Guardian Lifestyle

has some wonderful winter recipes from across the country. Good to know at Good to know-Winter recipes
has a wide choice of dishes from casseroles to delicious desserts. The ever-popular River Cottage is another good option. Go to : 20 Way to make your Christmas easier

And if you need a new cooker, slow cooker or microwave. Or intend to buy kitchen electricals as Christmas presents? Look out for the Energy Saving Trust Recommended logo to save money on running costs.

Energy Saving Trust

As the first Christmas cards drop through the letterbox, I am reminded that perhaps it’s time I drew-up my list and addresses, and wrote my cards.

Do stay tuned-in! Above all stay warm!
Remember you can pick-up more tips and news at the60life.com

I do hope you will join me again next week for more build-up to the festive season. There will be more about the Public Domain, and opportunities it can provide to pick-up free ideas and content for use in your writing, whether fictional or non-fictional. Also here, and at the60life.com, I will also be taking you back to 1891 and give you a little insight into North American life at that time.

Yours,

Mike Paterson,
The 60Life Weekly

[email protected]

7 Tips to help keep you well this winter

11th November 2010

· 7 Tips to help keep you well this winter
· How to become a well paid writer with five minute writing
· Will you be ready when your energy bills hit the doormat early next year?

Hi,

How are we to face the shorter days of winter, the awful weather, and the inevitable colds and sniffles? A recent Daily Mail report looks at practical ways to help us stay well this winter.

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7 practical ways to help keep you well this winter
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· Your mother knew best how to keep the common cold at bay

· Beat the bug

· Don’t feel SAD. As the nights draw in, a fifth of us have the winter blues …advice from the SAD Association

· What you need to know about the flu jab

· Use a range of herbal remedies and plants as the best defence to colds

· Boost your immune system with the 10 foods that are so beneficial to your health they are known as ‘super foods’.

· Have a very healthy Christmas

Read more: daily mail/health/article

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How to become a well-paid writer

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Becoming a well paid writer could be a dream you’ve cherished for years but never quite got round to fulfilling. Five minute writing is a serious way to make money writing, as you can find out below…

FIVE MINUTES IS ALL IT TAKES…

…to phone a friend…peel potatoes for dinner…make a paper plane…perhaps collect the grandkids from school…or write a few words that could earn you anything from a plastic apron or ballpoint pen, to a dream house in the sun, a top of the range sports car, or a magnificent hoard of cash prizes and luxury goods!
You can easily enter the fascinating world of The Five Minute Writer where:

· Even if a few minutes a day is all you can spare, you can still be a well respected, and regularly published writer.

· No special skills are required, you definitely don’t need a computer or word processor, a desk or phone.

· You don’t have to spend years learning your craft.

· Five minute writers are in great demand all over the world.

Why is it so profitable? Why do so many people enjoy five minute writing?

You can find out the reasons why and, also why publishers (and other regular clients) need your work at the five minute writer

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Will you be ready to receive your energy bills when they hit the doormat next year?

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Winter draws on! It’s the big switch on: lights, fires, heaters, and electric blankets. Now is the time to benefit from a little forward planning in this burn-now-pay-later season.

According to The Money Saving Expert, Martin Lewis:

“Many people on standard tariffs can currently save over £300 a year by switching to the cheapest online deals, plus get up to £30 cashback or a crate of wine for doing it.”

He says: “Switch NOW! Energy price HIKES are back – save £300…

And it’s no big deal: only price and customer service change; you get the same gas, electricity, pipes, meter & safety.”

He reports further that…”Scottish & Southern Energy (S&SE) has announced it’s hiking gas prices an average 9.4% on 1 Dec. Industry insiders now predict the other big six will follow soon, probably in the next few weeks if not by January at the latest…” Check the details out at the money saving expert

But do keep warm. Until next week.

Yours,

Mike Paterson,
The 60Life Weekly

[email protected]