Literary Inspirations: Drawing from English Literature

English literature stands as a testament to the enduring power of storytelling. From the iconic tragedies of William Shakespeare to the nuanced character studies of Jane Austen, the vast expanse of English literary tradition offers a wealth of inspiration for crafting compelling narratives—even within the confines of a resume.

The works of Shakespeare, with their complex characters and universal themes, provide invaluable insights into the art of character development. Just as Shakespeare imbued his protagonists with depth and complexity, so too can you infuse your resume with a sense of personality and individuality. By studying the intricacies of Shakespearean characters like Hamlet or Lady Macbeth, you can glean valuable lessons in portraying yourself as the protagonist of your own career story.

Similarly, the novels of Jane Austen offer masterful examples of plot development and thematic exploration. Austen’s keen observations of human nature and social dynamics provide a blueprint for structuring your career journey within the framework of a resume. By borrowing techniques such as foreshadowing, conflict resolution, and character growth from Austen’s works, you can create a resume that unfolds like a well-crafted narrative, captivating the reader from start to finish.

Moreover, the richness of English literature extends beyond individual works to encompass broader themes and motifs that resonate across time and culture. Whether exploring themes of love and betrayal in Shakespearean tragedies or the complexities of class and society in Victorian novels, English literature offers a rich tapestry of ideas and concepts that can be translated into the language of resumes. By drawing on these thematic elements, you can infuse your resume with depth, meaning, and resonance, elevating it from a mere list of qualifications to a compelling narrative that leaves a lasting impression on employers.

In essence, English literature serves as a wellspring of inspiration for crafting narrative-driven resumes that resonate with depth and authenticity. By studying the timeless works of Shakespeare, Austen, and other literary masters, you can unlock valuable insights into the art of storytelling—and in doing so, unlock new opportunities for career success and personal fulfillment.

Characterization: Portraying Yourself as the Protagonist

In literature, the protagonist is the focal point—the character whose journey captivates readers and drives the narrative forward. Similarly, in the realm of resumes, you are the protagonist—the central figure whose professional journey takes center stage. To effectively portray yourself as such, it’s crucial to highlight your strengths, experiences, and achievements in a way that not only showcases your qualifications but also underscores your unique value proposition.

Imagine your resume as a novel, with you as the protagonist. Just as a well-developed character in a novel leaves a lasting impression on readers, a well-crafted resume should leave a lasting impression on employers. Start by defining your character—the qualities, skills, and experiences that set you apart from other candidates. Consider what makes you unique, what drives you, and what you bring to the table.

Next, craft your narrative arc—the story of your professional journey thus far. Highlight key milestones, achievements, and experiences that demonstrate your growth, resilience, and potential. Just as a protagonist faces challenges and overcomes obstacles in a novel, showcase how you’ve tackled challenges and achieved success in your career.

Moreover, infuse your resume with personality and authenticity—traits that resonate with readers and employers alike. Share anecdotes, accomplishments, and experiences that illustrate your character and demonstrate your fit for the role. Whether it’s a passion project, a leadership role, or a significant achievement, each element should contribute to the overall narrative of your resume.

In essence, by portraying yourself as the protagonist of your career story, you not only differentiate yourself from other candidates but also engage employers on a deeper level. Your resume becomes more than just a list of qualifications—it becomes a compelling narrative that invites employers to envision you as a valuable asset to their organization. So, embrace your role as the protagonist, and craft a resume that leaves a lasting impression—one that showcases your strengths, experiences, and potential in a way that resonates with employers and propels you toward success.

Plot Development: Structuring Your Career Journey

Just as a well-crafted novel follows a structured plot, your resume should unfold in a logical sequence that guides the reader through your career journey. Here’s how to structure your resume effectively:

• Introduction (Exposition): Start with a compelling introduction that sets the stage for your career narrative. This section should include a brief summary of your professional background, highlighting key achievements or experiences that pique the reader’s interest.

• Rising Action (Career Experiences): The body of your resume should comprise the rising action—the meat of your career journey. Organize your experiences in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent role and working backward. For each position, provide concise yet descriptive bullet points that detail your responsibilities, accomplishments, and contributions to the organization.

• Climax (Key Achievements): Highlight the climax of your career—the pinnacle moments or achievements that demonstrate your value as a candidate. This could include awards, promotions, successful projects, or significant milestones reached. Use this section to showcase your impact and contributions in previous roles.

• Falling Action (Skills and Qualifications): After reaching the climax, transition to the falling action—a reflection on your skills, qualifications, and areas of expertise. List relevant skills, certifications, and technical proficiencies that support your career narrative and demonstrate your readiness for the role.

• Conclusion (Career Goals and Aspirations): Conclude your resume with a brief statement outlining your career goals and aspirations. This section should tie back to the introduction, reinforcing the overarching narrative of your career journey and expressing your enthusiasm for the opportunity.

By structuring your resume like a well-plotted novel, you create a cohesive narrative that guides the reader through your career trajectory, highlighting key achievements and demonstrating your value as a candidate.

Theme Integration: Infusing Depth and Meaning

Themes add depth and resonance to literature, and they can do the same for your resume. Here’s how to infuse your resume with thematic elements:

1. Identify Core Themes: Begin by identifying the core themes that define your career narrative. These could include themes like growth, resilience, innovation, or leadership. Reflect on your experiences and accomplishments to determine which themes resonate most strongly with your professional journey.

2. Weave Themes Throughout: Once you’ve identified your core themes, weave them throughout your resume in subtle yet impactful ways. Incorporate thematic language into your summary, job descriptions, and achievements to reinforce the overarching narrative of your career story.

3. Use Symbolism and Imagery: Employ symbolism and imagery to evoke your chosen themes visually. For example, you could use metaphors to describe your professional journey or incorporate visual elements like icons or graphics that symbolize key themes.

4. Demonstrate Consistency: Ensure that your resume reflects consistency in theme across all sections. Every aspect of your resume should contribute to the overall narrative, reinforcing the themes that define your career identity.

5. Connect Themes to Future Goals: Finally, tie your thematic elements to your future goals and aspirations. Explain how your past experiences align with your desired career path and how your chosen themes will continue to shape your professional trajectory moving forward.

By infusing your resume with thematic depth and meaning, you create a narrative that resonates with employers on a deeper level, showcasing not only your qualifications but also your values, aspirations, and unique perspective.

Conclusion:

In the art of resume writing, crafting a narrative that captivates and resonates with employers is paramount. Drawing inspiration from the rich tapestry of English literature offers a unique approach to this endeavor, infusing your resume with depth, creativity, and authenticity.

By embracing literary techniques such as character development, plot structure, and thematic exploration, you transform your resume from a mundane document into a compelling story—one that showcases not only your qualifications but also your personality, values, and aspirations.

As you embark on the journey of crafting your narrative-driven resume, remember to approach the process with intentionality and creativity. Define your character, structure your career journey, and infuse your document with thematic depth and meaning. By doing so, you create a resume that stands out from the crowd, leaving a lasting impression on employers and opening doors to new opportunities.

So, dare to be bold, imaginative, and inspired by the literary giants who have come before. Craft a resume that tells your story with eloquence and passion—a resume that reflects not only where you’ve been but also where you’re destined to go. With English literature as your guide, the possibilities are endless, and the journey to career success is filled with excitement and promise.

The post Crafting Your Narrative: Writing a Resume Inspired by English Literature appeared first on BenGregory-Ford.

If you’re looking for expert guidance on crafting a compelling resume, consider checking out https://resumeboosty.com/, where you can find a wealth of resources and professional assistance tailored to your needs.

Metaphors: Bringing Your Skills to Life

Metaphors serve as potent vehicles for imbuing your resume with depth, resonance, and vivid imagery. By likening your skills and experiences to familiar concepts or objects, you infuse your qualifications with a richness that captivates the reader’s attention and leaves a lasting impression.

Consider this: instead of simply stating that you possess strong leadership skills, envision yourself as the “captain of your professional journey.” This metaphor not only conveys your ability to lead with strength, authority, and direction but also paints a dynamic picture of your role within a team or organization. Employers are drawn to such imagery as it evokes a sense of confidence, vision, and competence.

However, not all metaphors are created equal. When integrating metaphors into your resume, it’s imperative to select ones that seamlessly align with your desired career trajectory and effectively communicate the qualities you wish to emphasize. Avoid falling into the trap of clichés, which can dilute the impact of your message and undermine your credibility. Instead, strive for originality and creativity, crafting metaphors that distinguish you from other candidates and showcase your unique value proposition.

Whether you’re describing your problem-solving prowess as “unlocking doors to opportunity” or portraying your adaptability as “navigating turbulent waters with ease,” each metaphor should serve as a strategic tool for amplifying your strengths and articulating your professional identity.

In essence, metaphors offer a powerful means of transforming mundane descriptions into compelling narratives, allowing you to breathe life into your resume and stand out in a sea of applicants. Embrace the artistry of metaphorical language, and watch as your qualifications spring to life on the page, leaving employers eager to learn more about the distinctive individual behind the words.

Alliteration: Adding Rhythm and Memorability

Alliteration, a literary device characterized by the repetition of initial consonant sounds, serves as a powerful technique for infusing your resume with rhythm, cohesion, and memorability. By harnessing the musicality of language, alliteration creates a harmonious cadence that captivates the reader’s attention and reinforces key points with a sense of lyrical elegance.

Picture this: as a “passionate problem-solver,” you embody a relentless drive to overcome obstacles and find innovative solutions. Here, the repeated ‘p’ sound not only evokes a sense of intensity and fervor but also underscores your commitment to tackling challenges head-on. Similarly, by portraying yourself as a “dedicated team player,” you emphasize your unwavering dedication to collaboration and cooperation, setting you apart as a valued asset within any organizational context.

When integrating alliteration into your resume, it’s essential to strike a delicate balance between impact and subtlety. While judicious use of alliteration can enhance the overall cohesion and memorability of your document, excessive repetition risks veering into the realm of contrivance and detracting from the sincerity of your message. Therefore, exercise restraint and select instances of alliteration that amplify the significance of your accomplishments and attributes without overshadowing their substance.

By employing alliteration strategically, you transform your resume from a mere list of qualifications into a symphony of language, resonating with harmony and leaving a lasting imprint on hiring managers. Embrace the rhythmic allure of alliteration, and watch as your words reverberate with vitality and distinction, compelling employers to take notice of the remarkable individual behind the page.

Symbolism: Conveying Depth and Meaning

Symbolism, a potent literary device, offers a profound means of imbuing your resume with layers of meaning and evoking powerful emotions in the reader. By leveraging symbolic language and imagery, you transcend the realm of mere description, infusing your qualifications with depth, resonance, and significance.

Imagine, for instance, describing your role as a project manager using the imagery of a “bridge-builder,” symbolizing your ability to forge connections, facilitate collaboration, and overcome obstacles to achieve shared goals. Here, the symbol of the bridge not only conveys the tangible aspects of your job but also embodies the intangible qualities of leadership, diplomacy, and vision, resonating with employers on a visceral level.

Similarly, you might employ the image of a “lighthouse” to represent your role as a guiding beacon amidst uncertainty, or the metaphor of a “compass” to signify your capacity to navigate complex challenges with clarity and direction. Each symbol serves as a metaphorical shorthand, encapsulating the essence of your skills, experiences, and aspirations in a succinct and memorable manner.

When incorporating symbolism into your resume, it’s crucial to select symbols that align with your personal brand and resonate with your desired career trajectory. Avoid clichéd or overused symbols, opting instead for those that offer fresh perspectives and nuanced interpretations. Furthermore, ensure that your chosen symbols enhance rather than detract from the overall coherence and clarity of your document, enriching your narrative without overwhelming it.

In essence, symbolism elevates your resume from a mere recitation of facts to a narrative tapestry rich with meaning and significance. Embrace the power of symbolic language, and watch as your qualifications transcend the confines of the page, leaving a lasting impression on employers and inviting deeper engagement with your professional story.

Putting It All Together: Crafting Your Literary Resume

Crafting a literary resume that seamlessly integrates metaphors, alliteration, and symbolism requires a delicate balance of artistry and precision. As you embark on this creative journey, consider the following steps to ensure that your document resonates with authenticity, impact, and professionalism:

• Define Your Narrative: Begin by defining the central narrative of your resume—the overarching story you wish to convey about your professional identity, goals, and achievements. Consider the themes, motifs, and symbols that resonate with your personal brand and align with your desired career trajectory.

• Select Your Literary Devices: With your narrative in mind, strategically select metaphors, alliteration, and symbolism that enhance and reinforce your key messages. Choose devices that amplify the significance of your experiences and attributes, lending depth and resonance to your narrative.

• Craft Compelling Language: Pay careful attention to the language and phrasing of your resume, ensuring that each word contributes to the overall impact and coherence of your document. Use vivid imagery, evocative language, and rhythmic cadences to captivate the reader’s attention and convey your unique personality and strengths.

• Edit and Refine: Once you’ve drafted your literary resume, take the time to edit and refine your document with a keen eye for detail. Remove any extraneous or repetitive language, tighten your prose, and ensure consistency in tone, style, and formatting throughout.

• Seek Feedback: Finally, seek feedback from trusted colleagues, mentors, or professional resume writers to gain valuable insights and perspectives on your document. Incorporate constructive feedback thoughtfully, refining your resume until it shines with clarity, impact, and professionalism.

By following these steps, you’ll create a literary resume that not only showcases your qualifications and achievements but also tells a compelling story about who you are, where you’re headed, and why you’re the ideal candidate for the job. Embrace the artistry of resume writing, and watch as your literary masterpiece opens doors to exciting opportunities and meaningful connections in your career journey.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, mastering literary devices such as metaphors, alliteration, and symbolism offers a transformative approach to resume writing, elevating your document from a mundane list of qualifications to a compelling narrative that captivates and resonates with hiring managers.

By harnessing the power of metaphors, you breathe life into your skills and experiences, infusing them with vivid imagery and depth that leave a lasting impression. Alliteration adds a rhythmic cadence to your resume, drawing attention to key points and enhancing memorability without overshadowing substance. Symbolism, meanwhile, imbues your qualifications with layers of meaning and emotion, evoking powerful associations that resonate with employers on a visceral level.

As you embark on the journey of crafting your literary resume, remember to approach the process with creativity, authenticity, and intentionality. Define your narrative, select your literary devices thoughtfully, and craft compelling language that reflects your unique personality and professional identity. Edit and refine your document with care, seeking feedback to ensure clarity, coherence, and professionalism.

Ultimately, by embracing the artistry of resume writing and mastering the use of literary devices, you unlock new opportunities for career success and personal fulfillment. Your resume becomes more than just a document—it becomes a reflection of your aspirations, achievements, and potential, inviting employers to envision the valuable contributions you can make to their organization.

So, dare to be bold, creative, and innovative in your resume writing endeavors. Let your literary masterpiece speak volumes about who you are, what you bring to the table, and why you’re the perfect fit for the job. With literary devices as your allies, the possibilities are endless, and the journey to career success is filled with exciting new horizons waiting to be explored.

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What are Shared Domains?

Picture this. You’re in a gigantic playground where folks from all over the place come to play. Everyone shares the swings, the slide, the sandbox, the whole shebang. You can play alone, or better yet, join others to build an epic sandcastle together. Now, translate this into the digital world, and voila, you’ve got yourself a shared domain!

The Concept Behind Shared Domains

Shared domains are spaces where multiple users or entities can access, contribute, and utilize resources under a common umbrella. Imagine a playground where kids from different blocks come to play, make friends, and create shared memories.

Types of Shared Domains

There’s more to it than meets the eye. Here’s a closer look.

Virtual Spaces

Virtual spaces, such as Google Drive or SharePoint, allow individuals and teams to collaborate on documents and projects in real-time.

Collaborative Platforms

Think of platforms like GitHub or Trello. These let groups of people work together to create something epic, like developing software or managing a project.

The Principles Guiding Shared Domains

Now that you’ve been briefed, let’s dive into the principles that ensure these domains are as awesome as they promise to be.

Accessibility

Shared domains must be easy to access for all. Imagine if only kids with special keys could enter the playground. Not fair, right?

Collaboration

This principle focuses on ensuring that users can work together efficiently. Think of a beehive, where everyone’s contributions are crucial for sweet success.

Scalability

A shared domain should be like a magical tent – no matter how many people get in, there’s always room for more!

Security

It’s crucial that shared domains are safe. Think of it as having a loyal watchdog protecting your treasure trove from pirates.

Live Casinos: A Stellar Example

Speaking of treasure, have you heard about live casinos? They are like your neighborhood casino, but online! Live casinos are a prime example of shared domains. At https://aviatorbetting.com/, for instance, you can experience the thrill of a casino from the comfort of your home. Gamers from around the globe can play, interact, and hit the jackpot together!

Advantages of Shared Domains

Imagine shared domains as a big potluck dinner – everyone brings something to the table, and the feast is so much better because of it! So, let’s get our spoons ready and dive into the scrumptious benefits of shared domains.

Facilitating Innovation

Shared domains act like a melting pot of ideas, which can spark innovation. It’s like having a bunch of brilliant minds working together in a modern-day think tank.

Streamlining Communication

Through shared domains, communication is as easy as pie. It’s like having walkie-talkies that keep everyone in the loop.

Potential Pitfalls and How to Tackle Them

Like a perfectly frosted cupcake, shared domains look super tempting but remember, it’s not all sprinkles and rainbows. There are a few potholes on this golden road. Let’s pull out our detective glasses and explore some of the hiccups that might throw a wrench in the gears.

Data Breaches

Like a pirate making off with treasure, data breaches are a real threat. To tackle this, ensuring robust security measures is key.

Handling Scalability Issues

Too many cooks? A shared domain must be able to handle growing numbers without crumbling like a cookie.

Embracing Shared Domains in the Future

Imagine a world where collaboration knows no bounds, and innovation is as common as the air we breathe. That, my friends, is where shared domains are taking us. So, let’s explore what embracing shared domains in the future might look like!

Trends to Watch

As we journey into the future, keep an eye out for augmented collaboration, where shared domains and virtual reality shake hands for an even more immersive experience.

Conclusion

Shared domains are the treasure troves of the digital era, opening up a world of possibilities. Like a magic carpet ride, they can whisk us into the future with innovation, collaboration, and endless possibilities. However, it’s crucial to keep our wits about us and be prepared for the challenges that lie ahead.

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Sometimes, it always comes across in financial advisors’ need to write a book for their future clients and for other people who need their advice, strategies, and even visions. 

And this article will help FAs to write their own book, but this wouldn’t be possible without the guidance and expertise of Jessica Walrack, an incredible personal finance writer from PaydayBears. This finance platform allows anyone to have a cash advance.

Thus, here are some tips on how financial advisors can write a book.

Market Positioning & Your Objectives Must Be Aligned

Existing and potential clients are the main audience of financial advisors, and it is important that you have to know your market position in writing your first book. And it is essential to know your objectives as it will draw more clients in the future.

Also, you have to know or at least assume what is interesting to read for your future readers, it may be about budgeting, financing, investing, trading, etc. Thus, positioning your book is one of the most underlooked ways of writing a book because most authors nowadays sit down at their working table and begin writing, which is a hassle phase because it would lead to hundreds of hours of editing and revisions.

But if you’re still doubting your objectives and target market, you could at least have answers to these questions:

• What are your hopes to achieve with your book?
• To achieve your objectives, who are your target market for the book?
• What specific details or topics are they seeking that they would invest in your book?
• Once you have answers to those questions, you are ready for the other tips on writing a book as a financial advisor.

Outline and Start Writing

Outlining is easy if you already know your target audience because you already know their problems, and they want to learn from your book. Thus, outlining means providing background information on the issue before guiding them through each action they must take to resolve it. And they likely need to comprehend and work out several problems for each of these processes to complete it successfully. These are combined to create a comprehensive outline.

Once you are done with outlining, you can start writing your book, and to do this, you can hire a ghostwriter or an assistant that could help you express your thoughts through writing or even recording yourself on a video that allows you to express your answers in certain questions that you would like to part of the book.

Transcribing and Editing

If you have made a video expressing yourself on the answers your audience wants to read in your book, it is time to transcribe and edit. In transcribing your videos or audio clips, there are a lot of platforms that would help you outline it by chapter or by each point of the topics that are part of the book.

And also, for editing, there are a lot of editors online that could help you visualize everything that you want to be part of the book and edit your transcript into a very high-quality manuscript that expresses all of your raw thoughts clearly.

Publishing and Marketing

Once you have already edited and run through the book, you can now publish your book on publishing platforms that would reach your target market. And you shouldn’t be worried about payments as there are platforms that would help you publish even without fees.

And once the book is published in different outlets, wait for your target audience to buy the book. The road ahead will be long since book promotion is a marathon, not a sprint. However, this is the point at which your efforts start to bear fruit in the form of both book sales and possibly new customers.

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In this article, we will explore the benefits of using worksheets in literature classes, discuss effective worksheet designs, and provide ideas for creating engaging and informative literature worksheets.

Why Use Worksheets in Literature Classes?

Worksheets offer several advantages when used in literature classes:

• Reinforcement: Worksheets can reinforce key concepts, themes, and vocabulary introduced during class discussions, helping to solidify students’ understanding.
• Independence: They encourage independent thinking, allowing students to work at their own pace and develop their problem-solving skills.
• Assessment: They can be used as formative assessments, giving teachers insight into each student’s progress and areas that may require additional support.
• Organization: They help students organize their thoughts and ideas, making it easier for them to articulate their opinions during class discussions or in writing assignments.
• Differentiation: Designs can be tailored to accommodate different learning styles and levels of comprehension, ensuring that all students have the opportunity to succeed.

Designing Effective Literature Worksheets

To create effective literature worksheets, consider the following design principles:

Clarity

A well-designed worksheet should be easy to read and understand. Use clear headings, concise instructions, and simple language to ensure that students can quickly grasp what is expected of them.

Relevance

Ensure that your content aligns with the learning objectives of your lesson. Worksheets should serve as a tool for reinforcing and expanding upon the material covered in class, not introducing new concepts.

Engagement

The design should be engaging and thought-provoking, encouraging students to think critically about the text and make connections between different aspects of the material. Include a mix of question types, such as multiple-choice, short-answer, and open-ended questions, to cater to different learning styles.

Flexibility

Choose or create templates that can be easily adapted for different texts and topics. This will save you time and allow you to focus on tailoring your lessons to your students’ needs and interests.

Ideas for Literature Worksheets

Now that we have discussed the benefits of using worksheets in literature classes and the principles of effective design, let’s explore some ideas for creating literature worksheets:

1. Vocabulary Worksheets: Enhance students’ understanding of key vocabulary by creating worksheets that require them to define, use, and analyze these terms in context. This could include matching definitions to words, filling in the blanks with appropriate vocabulary, or identifying synonyms and antonyms.
2. Character Analysis Worksheets: Encourage students to delve deeper into the characters of a literary work by providing worksheets that prompt them to consider a character’s motivations, relationships, and development throughout the text. Questions could focus on character traits, actions, dialogue, and how they contribute to the overall theme of the story.
3. Plot Summary Worksheets: Help students develop their summarizing skills by providing a worksheet that guides them through the process of identifying key events and turning points in the plot. This could include completing a plot diagram or answering guided questions about the story’s exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.
4. Theme Analysis Worksheets: Support students in exploring the themes of a literary work by providing a worksheet that prompts them to identify recurring motifs, symbols, and ideas. This could include analyzing quotations, discussing how characters embody certain themes, or comparing and contrasting different interpretations of the text.
5. Comparative Analysis Worksheets: Encourage students to make connections between different texts or authors by providing a worksheet that guides them through the process of comparing and contrasting characters, themes, techniques, or other aspects of the literature.
6. Creative Response Worksheets: Foster students’ creativity and personal connections to the text by providing worksheets that invite them to engage with the material in imaginative ways. This could include writing a diary entry from a character’s perspective, creating an alternative ending, or designing a book cover that reflects the story’s themes.
7. Contextual Analysis Worksheets: Help students understand the historical, cultural, and social context of a literary work by providing a worksheet that prompts them to research and analyze relevant information. This could include exploring the author’s background, examining the time period in which the work was written, or discussing how societal attitudes may have influenced the text.

By incorporating well-designed worksheets into your literature classes, you can create a more engaging and effective learning environment for your students. Remember to keep clarity, relevance, engagement, and flexibility in mind as you design your worksheets, and consider using a variety of worksheet types to cater to different learning styles and objectives. With these tools at your disposal, you’ll be well-equipped to help your students unlock the full potential of their literary studies.

The post Using Worksheets in Literature Classes: Unleashing the Power of Effective Learning appeared first on BenGregory-Ford.

Nevertheless, writing a book is not easy for any author, irrespective of experience. It is more difficult for new authors.

However, publishing a book is easier than ever, even for new authors. Gone are the days when authors needed to pitch their books to publishing houses and expect royalties if they could secure a deal.

Today, with few clicks, anybody can self-publish and market their books.

Importantly, there is a difference between writing a book and publishing a successful bestseller.

Here are 15 steps to writing a book successfully as a new author;

1. Determine a ‘why’

Every author has a ‘why’ for writing a book. Books are meant to ignite the imagination and fulfill a specific purpose. 

Fiction books are usually written to entertain. Non-fiction books like personal development or motivational books are written to help individuals understand and/or take specific actions.

The first step to take as a new author is to determine the impact you want your book to have on the reader.

2. Brainstorm

The next step is to think about what the book is about. Think about the targeted audience that would be interested in your book. Ruminate on why the chosen idea would appeal to your targeted audience and how best you can convey the message you intended.

Do not rush this step. Take your time and always move around with a jotting pad, so whenever an idea crosses your mind, note it.

3. Outline

This is the stage where you design the framework of your book. List how you want the content to flow.

There is no definite way to write an outline. It could be detailed or bullet points of chapters and expected contents.

Irrespective of what you choose, the outline should be able to summarize the book content from start to finish.

4. Research

Books are written so the reader can learn. To avoid misinforming potential readers, it is essential to research the subject you are writing about thoroughly.

Nothing kills a book faster than a bad review. Being a new author, it could have a long-lasting damage effect on your writing career.

5. Schedule a time and place to write

There are two different types of authors: those who get published and those who never finish writing their books. 

What separates these two is discipline. Writing is beyond inspiration. You need the discipline to be consistent to finish the book.

Choose a place comfortable to write and a specific time of the day and day(s) of the week to write.

6. Set a writing goal

Set a target for every time you sit to write. It may be 100 words per day or more. Choose the number of words that is most convenient for you.

The average word of a book page is 250; hence you may decide to write at least a page every time to hasten the book’s completion.

7. Choose a deadline

Setting a deadline for your book writing can help you finish it faster than just writing with the hope of finishing it someday.

8. Finish your first draft

Every author experiences writer’s block. Whenever you feel tired and don’t know what to write anymore, refer to your outline and the notes you wrote during the brainstorming stage.

9. Revise and edit

After completing the first draft, read through the book to ascertain the content flows as you outlined. If not, consider rearranging the chapters, for instance. Also, correct any grammatical errors you notice.

10. Finish the second draft

Write another draft with all necessary adjustments effected. Read it over again like you did the first until you are satisfied.

11. Proofread

Hire a professional proofreader or give the final draft to a competent friend to help highlight and correct the grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.

12. Organize a reading party

Give the manuscript of the book to family and friends you trust to read and offer their constructive feedback before you finally publish.

13. Pick an identity

Some authors prefer their names unknown for personal reasons. If this is something you intend, decide on a pen name.

14. Publish

Once the final draft is ready, there is no need to waste time before publishing the book. There are many self-publishing platforms today, like Kindle where you can publish your book with a few clicks in minutes.

If you prefer the traditional way, submit your book manuscript to a publishing house. You stand a better chance of getting a response if you go through a literary agent.

15. Promote

Use your social media pages to promote your book. Pitch to local radios and television, serving your targeted audience to feature as a guest.

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History of censorship

In 399 BC, Socrates was found guilty of corrupting the youth and bringing in new deities to replace the ones honored by the city, and was thus given a death sentence by way of poisoning. Social and political norms vary across time and the same can be said for censorship. One example from history is the philosopher who faced charges of violating his own era’s moral code. But with the invention of printing technologies, there was an even greater need for censorship to control its dissemination. The press played an important role in helping the Catholic Church achieve its mission and turned into a religious battleground. Thanks to Pope Paul’s influence, the term “censorship” was given a brand new meaning when he released the first index of books that were banned in 1559. This system existed until the middle of the twentieth century. The publications were deemed too dangerous for the public to read due to their ideological content. As a result, the guards of the Holy Inquisition carried out punishments such as burning them and their authors. One of the most famous people who was put on trial due to this was Galileo Galilei, though he later retracted his beliefs. His life was spared due to the fact that the Catholic Church was in charge of regulating all universities and their print materials. Any book couldn’t be circulated without obtaining a go-ahead from them, and from 1563, French versions of books were only released with King Charles’ consent. This example was soon followed by other European countries, and the dual system also existed in the colonized territories of America. In the 18th century, the press was more often controlled than other institutions. At the beginning of 1919, European censors began to yield to demands, thus allowing the public to experience a minimal form of independent press for the first time. However, in Japan, for example, the media was still kept under strict control. The first daily newspaper appeared precisely at a time when journalists were regularly arrested and publications were frequently closed. The postal service was also subjected to a strict system of censorship. Nevertheless, the invention of printing was a crucial development in communication and became a widely-used system of communication between people and countries. During the first half of the 20th century, the British Empire actively subjected correspondence to scrutiny. Even today, this service remains an instrument of censorship in countries where the import of banned literature and non-fiction is tightly regulated.

Library censorship

Public concern about offensive books persisted throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, and libraries were expected to act as custodians. This gave teachers and staff the power to censor a wide range of works under the pretext of protecting readers from morally destructive literature. Liberal countries such as Sweden and Norway boast early press freedom laws, but even there, monitoring libraries posed a problem for authors and publishers until the 20th century. Equally astonishing is the steadfastness of this tradition in US literature. One of the most striking examples of censorship was Mark Twain’s book, “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn”. It was first banned in 1885 and continued until the 1980s. Despite the Bill of Rights for Libraries, public institutions continue to face pressure to remove works of questionable content from their available literature. The censorship process for libraries has been a longstanding practice. They have been under pressure for a long time; as early as 221 BC, the deliberate burning of local structures was recorded in China. Although some of these acts were considered accidental, such as the fire in the Library of Alexandria, the book depository of Oxford University burned down in 1683 by direct order of the king. According to a report by the UNESCO Library Mission, in 2000 all institutions in Kosovo experienced the destruction of their Albanian-language collections. Over the course of 400 years, the media has been the first casualty of war, whether it be internal or external conflicts. The press was faced with a choice between making a public statement of its position or closing the publication. In the years preceding the outbreak of World War II, the media in Germany, Italy, Portugal, and Japan were subjected to fascist censorship. A war of words does not bring death, but it is no less dirty than a war with weapons. In the 20th century, some of the countries with the toughest press censorship, introduced by dictators, were Spain, Greece, Chile, and Nigeria.

How Victorian Writers Turned Censorship to Their Favor

Literary prohibitions in the Victorian era provided writers with inspiration, despite the few cases of complete book rejections. Nevertheless, they still faced pressure due to the prevailing hypocrisy. Writer Thomas Hardy’s first novel, A Poor Man and a Lady, was never published because chief publisher Alexander Macmillan felt that the way Hardy portrayed the upper class would cast a bleak picture of society. Repositories were more likely to refuse to contain certain works than publishers were to give them a negative evaluation. At the time, the most influential was the Charles Moody Library, which only distributed books that were suitable for middle-class parents to read aloud to their daughters without causing embarrassment. She told the publishing houses what to print and the authors what to write about, inspiring literati in a new way to express their point of view under Victorian censorship. The publisher of George Eliot’s works criticized them precisely because the author portrayed people as they really are, rather than presenting an idealistic picture of the world. The description of the complexities of middle-class life was particularly controversial; the story of the dirty conditions of existence and the use of alcohol was perceived as an unwelcome reminder of social problems.

Internet and censorship

Now, the problem of censorship has shifted from the printed word to the web. The practice of restricting the posting and viewing of content is fairly common in many countries. The main goal of internet censorship is to protect authorship, control cybercrime, and prevent the active spread of false news. One of the main drawbacks of the system was not the limited sources, but rather the lack of freedom of expression. During the process of blocking “malicious” content, censorship restricts access to real information and exacerbates ignorance, resulting in a lack of access to the truth. The government, through censorship, gives an advantage to a particular community, enabling them to use it to their benefit. This allows those in power to control what citizens of the country can see or express. Of course, corporations are the main groups that carry out Internet censorship. For example, restrictions imposed within large social networks prevent small and medium-sized enterprises from gaining an audience and selling their products. Banning certain works is nothing new, and the process of rejecting books is almost as old as literature itself. At its core, censorship brings a lot of inconvenience to both authors and audiences. And yet, it is able to motivate the work of the imagination and new creative manifestations.

In conclusion, we can see that book censorship is not a new phenomenon; books have been banned for various reasons long before the invention of printing. Often, works that were banned were sent to the fire. However, practice shows that objectionable works usually outlived their censors and some of them are now recognized as literary masterpieces.

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Ancient literature, myths, legends – these are books that have already become part of our history, books that come from antiquity.

Historical books. There are authors who, after a thorough study of various historical events, write books, investing the affairs of bygone days, in understandable and vivid for us images, and so, more understandable to explain the essence of past events. This category also includes military history.

Detectives are fictional stories, in which, without fail, the protagonists are the investigator, investigating a complex intricate matter, and the suspect. The plot necessarily present intrigue, and the denouement of the tangled story only becomes clear at the very end.

Fiction is a special kind of fiction. The author, as if looking into the future and anticipates some earthly events in his imagination. Often fiction is still fiction, but sometimes the author very accurately guess the course of history or technological progress. Jules Verne’s books are a good example of this.

Classics are books by authors whose writing style is recognized as a model to follow. Among writers: Shakespeare, Oscar Wilde, Irving Shaw, Stendhal…

Poems and poetry is a special kind of literature, when with the help of associative images the author, speaks about his deep experiences and feelings.

Of course, the above classification is not complete and absolute. In many cases, it is difficult to determine which genre a particular work belongs to. For example, Orwell’s 1984, was written in 1947-1948 and at the time it fell into the category of science fiction. The book describes a fictional country with its existing order, but in terms of the meaning revealed in it – it is a book about politics, about power, about the role of man in a totalitarian society. Fiction, politics, philosophy and eternal questions about the meaning of existence, here joined together.

Moreover, the world is changing, technological progress is not standing still and now, in today’s literary world there is such a phenomenon as computer literature. These are books on working in a particular software environment, books on programming, which can be safely attributed to technical literature, but I want to show how today the genres can intertwine with each other.

However, our life is also an interweaving of various interests, research and life experiences, and books, as always, are simply a reflection of what we live by and what fills our soul…

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Get to know your character
Who would be easier for you to introduce into your story – a familiar friend or a new colleague from a neighboring department? Of course, the first option is more preferable, because a vivid character is someone about whom you know more. Consequently, you should be more aware of your character than you tell your readers – that’s the first rule. So how do you put it into practice?

Write a bio
This is a requirement for all of the more or less significant characters in your work, especially the main character. Biography can be written in free form or you can do it in the form of a questionnaire. Either way – try as much as possible to describe in detail the life of each character.

Examine the character in different situations
To get to know the character better – use the method of screenwriter Alvin Sargent. While working on the next movie, he placed his characters in different situations that, while not related to the main plot, it helped to better understand the characteristics of the characters. Subsequently, he may or may not have included these scenes in the script.

Think about what your character would do in the face of a terminal illness or sudden stroke of luck, what he would do, losing a good job or vice versa, achieving unprecedented success. The more of these situations you come up with, the more vivid the understanding of the image will be.

Prototypes
Many prominent characters in books have had their prototypes. These include the already mentioned Sherlock Holmes and Robinson. This is very convenient because you already have the lion’s share of information about the character. You can, of course, use this literary device, but you should beware of two dangers.

The first is that the prototype (or his entourage) may recognize himself in the description, and not everyone may like that, especially if you make him look bad. There have been cases in history where offended readers have filed lawsuits against authors.
Another problem that can arise with a prototype is the inability to give it the qualities that the story demands. On the other hand, some writers do just that, playing on contrasts and endowing him with unexpected character traits. This makes the character more memorable.

Bad vs Good.
Most writers make “good” characters the central figure of the narrative. On the other hand, forbidden fruit is sweet, and so authors such as Patrick Suskind in his novel Perfume, for example, choose not the best of humanity as their heroes. But whichever side your hero is on, he should be interesting to the reader – only then he will be well remembered and attract attention.

Evolution of the hero
Everyone knows how difficult it is to change yourself and your life – that’s why stories about development or degradation are so successful. The same should apply to your work. Throughout the story, your character should gradually change. By going through trials and overcoming obstacles, he will gain new qualities or he will get worse. It should not be too radical transformation – it will not look too believable. In genres like detectives or spy thrillers, the characters usually remain the same, but their evolution as a side effect of the plot only adds to the charm.

People remember vivid characters much better than elaborate and twisted plots. To create a captivating character, you first need to get to know him or her well. To do this, write a biography and study his behavior in different situations. You can also use prototypes, but be careful not to set yourself up. It doesn’t matter if your character is good or not – as long as he or she is interesting and evolves over time.

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Fiction Literature
Fiction literature is a type of art that uses as its only material the words and constructions of natural (written human) language. This includes Epic, Prose, Lyric, Drama, Essay, Children’s Literature, and Translated Literature.

Documentary Prose
Documentary prose is a type of literature characterized by a storyline based solely on real events, with rare inclusions of fiction. biographies, histories of any events, country descriptions, investigations of high-profile crimes).

Memoirs
Memoirs are notes of contemporaries, telling about the events in which the author of the memoirs took part or which are known to him from eyewitnesses.

Scientific and Popular Science Literature
Scientific literature – a set of written works, which are created as a result of research, theoretical generalizations made within the scientific method. Scientific literature is designed to inform scientists and specialists about the latest advances in science, as well as to reinforce the priority of scientific discoveries. This includes monographs, reviews, articles, reports, abstracts, papers and reviews.

Popular science literature – literary works about science, scientific achievements and scientists, intended for a wide range of readers. Popular science literature includes works on the basics and particular problems of the basic and applied sciences, biographies of scientists, descriptions of travels, etc., written in different genres.

Reference Literature
Literature of supportive content used to obtain the most general, uncontroversial information on a given subject. The main types of reference literature:

Dictionaries that organize information by the basic words and expressions for a given area of knowledge (or for the language as a whole), most often in alphabetical order;

Reference books in which the information is ordered in some other way, according to the own structure of the given sphere of knowledge (for example, a medical reference book – according to the localization of diseases or the nature of symptoms);

Encyclopedias – the most comprehensive and systematic summaries of information on a given field of knowledge.

Academic literature
Academic literature, which is mainly divided into textbooks and collections of tasks (exercises), has much in common with the reference: like reference literature, academic literature deals with that part of knowledge on a subject, which is considered more or less generally accepted.

Technical Literature
Technical literature is literature relating to engineering and manufacturing (product catalogs, operating, maintenance and repair instructions, parts catalogs, patents, etc.).

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