How do you improve a plot? You can do magic with just a few touch ups, taking a mediocre plot and grooming it into a spectacular story. Tip #1: Show what good guys and bad guys have in common. “Create a layer of emotional depth by connecting the protagonist (the [main character (MC)]) and the… Read more »
Album: Swamp Ophelia Artist: Indigo Girls Folk music fascinates me a great deal because of how differently every culture known to humans has interpreted it. The bouncy accordion and heartfelt gusle I’m used to hearing in traditional Montenegrin songs at home are absent in the Canadian repertoire. Instead, the acoustic guitar and harmonica offer us… Read more »
Dear Barb: Hi, my friend and I are taking courses at AU and we often get together to study or work on projects. We are both in our late twenties and can’t afford to go to normal university since we are both working full time. AU works great for us. The problem I am having… Read more »
So, you’re a student curious about starting a business? Well, to succeed in business, you need to learn how to sell. And you’ve got a great salesperson within you. How do I know? Because we’ve all got selling potential. Author Steve Mariotti has a four-step strategy for gaining rabid fans, and I’m going to break… Read more »
Rural AU life affords the opportunity to embark on a nature walk—the better to wake up and get those study juices flowing. So, when I stepped near a rattlesnake this morning and heard its distinct cackling rattle before seeing it’s coiled body, that really got my brain’s pulse pumping. As the snake scrambled leglessly to… Read more »
I have wanted to do a cedar plank recipe for a while, and, recently, I finally got to make it. I enjoy writing recipes because I feel pressure to make them before I write and make sure I get some pictures, it gives us at least a couple suppers for the week. For this recipe… Read more »
The pot bubbles over when mixed with ways to improve your story. You can take your story from bland to boss with just a few strokes. Need a story makeover? Answer a handful of tough questions, and you’ve got a story worthy of the silver screen. Here are four questions you could ask yourself when… Read more »
Last month, I wrote an article recommending seven classics by British authors as good places to start reading classic literature. Don’t worry; there won’t be an exam! I do hope you felt inspired to pick up one or two of those wonderful novels and enjoy them. Now here are seven classics not originally written in… Read more »
Dear Barb: My parents divorced many years ago. I lived with my mom while growing up, but I am now married with kids of my own. My mom has dated throughout my life but never lived with anyone or remarried until recently. She met George a few years ago and has kept their relationship fairly… Read more »
When starting a new business, do you feel like celebrating? Or maybe you’re young and have never faced the work-life grind. Either way, when starting up a company or entering the workforce, shoot for a quick win. A quick win is as fun as a party. I heard a quote that said something like “Think… Read more »