A change must take place for any true growth or healing to begin; for us to change we must understand that there is always plenty of room for growth. In fact our capacity to grow is so profound that no matter how much we may learn each day, there is always an infinite amount of learning to take place. It is only the ignorant of the world which believe they truly know anything for certain, and those are the ones who are most prone to failure and illness. The easiest way to explain ignorance is by re-defining it, as with many things we will be searching for new definitions of what we’ve been taught; for the power of a word in its true meaning is far more than the limitations of what we believe we know.

However, before we can possibly consider how to define a word we must forget the meagre definitions of what we know; for how can we re-define something if we believe we already know its meaning? People are taught as they grow to dislike certain words, and to relish the warmth others give them; they are taught these mostly through personal experience and from people who influence their minds by their own experiences. The sad but truthful fact of modern education is that no matter how logical or factual the simplistic teachings may seem, experience and emotional properties are always brought into the picture by the instructor. We cannot rely on the teachings of others, if the others are clouded by personal interference, self motivation; or hold any true assuredness of ignorance within them. Read the rest of this entry »

Reading the same structure or style of writing can become—well quit boring after awhile. I am currently taking an English class and I forgot how much I used to love learning different literary devices. Can’t say that I know how to put everything together or remember which tense I started with 100%, but without a qualm I know and love my literary devices.

I decided to post some of them—just as a reminder to everyone who forgotten that writing can be fun and creative and educational. Now you’ll be taking my English class with me. Also, hopefully by posting some of my essay, I’ll get a good review. , I’m counting you JPD to make sure I get an A, A+ if you’re very good.

Let’s start with allusion. Allusion is when you make a reference to a well-known person, place, or thing from literature, history, etc. Someone in my class asked rather allusion can be used wrong or abused?

Of course! I have seen allusion used in the wrong content. You use allusion for your audience. If your audience is the general public, then making reference to something like Cinderella or Snow White, most of us (99.9%) will know what you are talking about. But if you are making a reference to someone like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, unless you are writing an article about sport and your audiences are basketball lovers, then most (60% or higher) of your audience will be lost.

Just like using informal or formal language, allusion has its place and time. When you use it, use it wisely.

e.g. You’re not Dorothy and Toto walking on the yellow brick road.

e.g. I am telling you, women, it all started in the Eden.

These ten tips of advantages and disadvantages are from The Author’s Toolkit by Mary Embree.

1. Finding a book publisher

a. Advantages

i. Not only will it cost you nothing, you may get an advance. The publisher will pay for printing, editing, promotion, distribution, etc. The perception is that it is more professional than self-publishing book, although that perception is changing as the quality of self-published books improves.

b. Disadvantages

i. The author loses control. Royalties are much lower per book than the author’s potential profit margin on a book the publisher to get the book out.

2. Co-publishing with an established publisher

a. Advantages

i. The publisher will know how to edit, promote and distribute the book. The costs of producing the book will be shared. The author will have the benefit of the publisher’s professional advice.

b. Disadvantage

i. The author has less control than if he did it all himself. The author must share profits with the other publisher. There could be disagreements that are difficult to work out.

3. Self-publishing a book the traditional way

a. Advantage

i. The author has control of everything but the printing of the book. All profits belong to the author alone. If the author has a niche market, he could make a greater profit than any other way.

b. Disadvantages

i. It can cost between $3,000 and $10,000 or more for printing alone. Unless the author can do it all himself, he must find qualified people to edit, create the cover and interior design and typeset the book. The author must do all the promotion, distribution and sales. Unless he has a ready market for it, he may never recover his initial costs to produce the book.

4. Self-publishing using print-on-demand

a. Advantages

i. Small numbers of the book can be printed coasting $3 to $10 per book depending on the size, number of pages, and type of cover. The author could have 50 to 100 small paperbacks printed for a total cost of a few hundred dollars. She would not have storage problems for a few books. Additional books can be printed as needed. Time is another advantage. The book can be printed in a few days.

b. Disadvantage

i. The cost per unit is usually higher than ordering from a regular printer.

5. Self-publish a spiral-bound book

a. Advantage

i. Photocopies can be made and books bound the same day by most photocopying companies. Or the author can purchase a binding machine and bind them herself as she needs them.

b. Disadvantages:

i. It can end up costing more than print-on-demand and does not look as professional. Spiral-bound books have no spine on which to put the title of the book and because of that, many book stores and libraries will not carry it.

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