New Year’s Resolutions! And This Time You Mean It!

All of us have the best of intentions when the year comes to an end, make promises to quit smoking, vow to do more exercise and lose weight, and by the middle of January have fallen by the wayside and are still indulging in bad habits. Maybe the resolutions are too stiff or have not been given enough thought? Maybe the first resolution should be not to make idle promises, not vow to change too much, but pick one thing you really want to change about yourself, and stick with it? Here are some easy resolutions to make and keep and also benefit others.

·                     Vow to be less edgy and less impatient in 2012

·                     Vow to give more of your time to others

·                     Vow to help someone without talking about it

·                     Vow to give to street people without judging them

·                     Vow to help in the soup kitchen or shelter even if only once a week

·                     Vow to be less arrogant and not be a show off

·                     Vow to draw up a plan and reduce your debt

·                     Vow to save money and do your own manicure and pedicure

·                     Vow to forgive your enemies

·                     Vow to have more respect for your mother

·                     Vow not to use God’s name in vain

·                     Vow to  give up your rotten racist behavior

·                     Vow to keep your resolutions

These are resolutions which cost nothing and are easy to implement. When you are selfless, you give off good vibes and others will follow you. When you seek purity, you will not fill your lungs with smoke or indulge in intoxicants. When you are kind, you teach someone to be generous. Vow to be a better human being and give more of your time. For the coming year, give a friend the gift of friendship without a price tag. Pass this on to everyone you know and wish them a New Year’s resolution from the heart without wishing for a gift in return. A happy and bang-up New Year to you in 2012

Sweating the Bad Fat – You are what you eat

Are you one of those women who has had a bad experience and turned to chocolates and biscuits and binge eating for comfort? Do you stuff yourself with foods that are bad for you and afterwards become depressed as you see the pounds pile on? There is real truth in the saying that you are what you eat. You have scoffed muffins and pies and sugary doughnuts and now look like a ring doughnut yourself. Don’t fret. If you have the patience and tenacity, you can turn this around by doing the following in two stages:

Stage 1

·                     Drop the attitude and get real. Being embarrassed about your weight and becoming sarcastic with everyone is not going to help.

·                     Cut out sugar right now; not even a comfort size teaspoon of sugar.

·                     Open the fridge and discard all margarines, creams, fats, and anything containing cholesterol, except olive oil and real cream.

·                     Get rid of all cake, biscuits, desserts and sugary products.

·                     Open the meat section and throw out wieners and sausages and any other meat products and/or salami which contain fat except for skinless chicken breasts.

·                     Discard fizzy drinks and invest in mineral water.

Have you noticed that exercise has not been mentioned yet? That is because you first have to get rid of the junk food in the house. You first have to have a willingness to accept that you have to lose weight and want to do it, and you first have to have a plan.

Stage 2

·                     There is no easy way around this except to do it. Draw up a plan that includes an hour or less every day to take a walk with a friend or go by yourself to the beach, the park, or any place where you are able to get at least forty minutes worth of exercise.

·                     Start with stretching exercises of ten minutes first thing in the morning.

·                     Do some meditation and think of yourself as a thin person.

·                     Get some books on healthy eating for recipes you can make for one.

·                     Stay away from sweets, rice, bread, biscuits or any kind of flour. Drink lots of water.

·                     Always read the ingredients on the package for hidden sugars.

·                     If you like riding a bike but are afraid to ride too far, get a stationary recumbent bike which gives good back support and makes it less wearing on the knees.

·                     Try to do a little more as far as exercising every day.

·                     You are what you eat; love yourself by staying away from the foods which you know are bad for you.

http://raydajacobs.blogspot.com

http://5cca12ogdijic8dhhhx3rewi6b.hop.clickbank.net/

Coping with Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson’s is a degenerative disease that gets progressively worse over the years. Some people live with the disease for twenty or more years, for others it progresses slowly and some patients have lived into their eighties. It is impossible to gauge or predict how long a P.D. sufferer will live as it depends on many factors. Still, there is much someone afflicted with the condition can do to live a healthy and productive life. If you have always been averse to exercise, this is your time to get out your walking shoes and take active steps to keeping healthy. Walking is good for you as it contributes to good blood circulation, gets your endorphins going and also creates an overall feeling of well being. Every day you walk or do some form of exercise is a treat for your body as you cannot afford to get stiff from being sedentary – and you should not be sitting in one position for long periods of time.

Things you can do to keep active include:

·                     Playing games where words and puzzles are involved as it exercises the brain and keeps you in the loop.

·                     Work in your garden for fifteen minutes or so. Clip the dry leaves, pull some weeds, water the plants.

·                     Don’t isolate yourself from your friends. You want to live as normal a life as possible. Arrange a card game for your friends or go to the cinema once in a while.

·                     Have a nap in the afternoons; it refreshes you.

·                     Meet your friends and go out for tea or go for a walk to the park. Don’t let the words – I don’t feel well – become part of your repertoire.

·                     Get a novel from the library once or twice a week and curl up on the couch.

·                     Most of all stay positive and tell yourself every morning when you wake up that it is going to be a great day. Remember, not all days are rough days and everyone gets older; not only P.D. sufferers.

·                     Do stretching exercises twice a day and keep on the move. Don’t let stiffness set in.

·                     Say thank you to God for reminding you that life is not to be taken for granted and giving you the wisdom and strength to look after yourself. The mind is a wonderful thing; it can heal.

http://www.raydajacobs.blogspot.com

http://5cca12ogdijic8dhhhx3rewi6b.hop.clickbank.net/

Medical Secrets You Should Be Made Aware of

Are you ill and have questions about your health or a disease such as cancer or autism or joint problems or any other kind of concern you would like answered? It is more than likely that someone in your family has been ill and that you have probably been exposed to people suffering from pain. If you would like answers about your health, you could first try going on the internet and sort through the different sites and make up your own mind as to what you think your problem is, the source that most speak to you, and how to go about using the information you have gathered. You could compile important information so that when you do see a doctor, you have some knowledge about the illness and can talk comfortably about it. People quite often put off making that doctor’s appointment until the last minute as they fear doctors and the news they might receive.

Health secrets hidden from the public

Often when there’s a cover-up about anything, or hiding important information from consumers, it has something to do with making or losing money. Big name diseases like Alzheimers or Parkinson’s Disease are big money-making machines and the more sufferers turn to holistic and natural methods, the more they are swayed to go with the synthetic drug. They also have recurring medical prescriptions which is big bucks for medical professionals. This is not to say that using natural remedies can cure or fix everything and that you should not also use conventional medicine; the problem is that no one spreads this kind of good news and many people suffering from pain lose out. Be honest with consumers. Combine conventional medicine with natural remedies, where and if possible, and give the consumer the best of both worlds; the industry can benefit by transparency. If a Parkinson’s sufferer does well with hemp oil, don’t discourage it. If the patient believes it will help him or her, it most probably will. Don’t keep important and life-changing information to yourself. Go online and do a search on the ailment you have and read as many books on the subject as you can. When it comes to health, knowledge is everything.

http://www.raydajacobs.blogspot.com

http://half-dozen-health-secrets.com/?hop=faramarz99

Ten Effective Brain Foods for Parkinson’s sufferers

The brain is very much like the motherboard of the body or the engine of a car. It’s no use buying rims for the vehicle if the transmission is busted. You have to fix the heart first. Here are ten effective super brain foods to improve concentration, memory, mood, and disposition. Some of these items are already on our menu. See how you can integrate them into your diet for a healthier, saner, clear-headed you.

1              Wild Salmon – rich in Omega 3 fatty acids – helps your brain develop tissue for increasing brain power.

2              Coffee – contains anti-oxidants and is known to reduce Alzheimers and age-related cognitive disorders. This excludes sweet and sugary coffee drinks.

3              Mixed nuts is a potpourri of good health – walnuts are rich in Omega 3 fatty acids – almonds contain natural mood enhancing neurotransmitters – nuts also promote mental clarity and strong memory.

4              Egg yolks are rich in choline, an essential nutrient to improving memory function.

5              Avocados – a great tasting fruit that promotes blood flow and known for reducing blood pressure. Don't overdo it with the avocados though.

6              Flax seeds – a healthy fat that aids the cerebral cortex to function better – part of the brain responsible for processing sensory information.

7              Blueberries should really be first or second on the list. Eating blueberries improves memory function; they are high in anti oxidants and aids in preventing free radical damage.

8              Dark chocolate – rich in anti oxidants, it improves focus and concentration.

9              Whole grains are excellent brain foods and improve circulation.

10            Broccoli – a vegetable we have all tasted and enjoyed. Eat this great tasting veggie to improve memory function as well as stave off aging.

http://www.raydajacobs.blogspot.com

http://a979d4mqidlo1xl2n-wlwqjcr4.hop.clickbank.net/
<a href="http://expertscolumn.com/content/there-life-after-split-person-you-love" title="Is there life after a split with the person you love"><h1>Is there life after a split with the person you love</h1></a>
 

Embracing Parkinson's - Living a Manageable Life

If you are like most people who have suddenly and unceremoniously discovered that you have Parkinson’s disease, you are probably still reeling from the diagnosis. It was with shock and despair that I responded to this unwelcome news just five weeks ago, in November 2011. How could I have it? I used my brain every day. I was a prolific writer whose articles appeared on the internet every day. How could I use my logical mind to deal with what was to come – and what would I do if my logical mind deserted me? My father had Alzheimers. I used to make light of the matter to my brothers and sisters and would say I was going to follow him. When he started to lose his memory and tried to light his cigarette even though he had a lit cigarette in his hand, I found it amusing and cute and we used to have a little laugh now and again at his expense when he walked up and down in the hallway and said he was waiting for a friend to come and pick him up. The friend had died ten years earlier.

Dealing with reality 

Be careful what you say, even in gest. I was indeed going my father’s way. Today I am walking up and down the passage thirty times, three times a day; only I was doing it because I am trying to stay fit and flexible, and it is part of the plan. The plan is a healthy diet, drinking lots of water, doing stretching exercises upon getting up in the morning, more stretching in the afternoon, going for a walk, finding out everything about Parkinson’s treatment, and trying holistic and natural methods first. Your armor at this very early stage of Parkinson’s is knowledge.

·                     Read up on depression caused by Alzheimers and Parkinson’s to determine the difference between the two conditions; there is a difference.

·                     Go on the internet and listen to survivor stories or people living with Parkiinson’s.

·                     Listen to Michael J Fox on You Tube and see if you can learn something from his resilience and determination to manage his disease. You might also want to listen to Muhamad Ali’s story. They both have had Parkinson’s for about twenty years, and are still with us!

·                     Parkinson’s does not kill you; most fatalities as a result from Parkinson’s are complications from pneumonia, and falls.

·                     Eat brain foods such as bananas, walnuts, cashews, almonds, eggs, wild salmon, beans, yams. Click here for list of super foods.

·                     There are five phases for Parkinson’s. Determine from your doctor what phase you are in.

·                     Read tips on how to manage your life and always check on the internet for the latest news.

http://www.allaboutparkinsons.com/?hop=faramarz99

 http://www.raydajacobs.blogspot.com/

Ten Effective Brain Foods for Parkinson’s sufferers

The brain is very much like the motherboard of the body or the engine of a car. It’s no use buying rims for the vehicle if the transmission is busted. You have to fix the heart first. Here are ten effective super brain foods to improve concentration, memory, mood, and disposition. Some of these items are already on our menu. See how you can integrate them into your diet for a saner, clear-headed you.

1              Wild Salmon – rich in Omega 3 fatty acids – helps your brain develop tissue for increasing brain power.

2              Coffee – contains anti-oxidants and is known to reduce Alzheimers and age-related cognitive disorders. This excludes sweet and sugary coffee drinks.

3              Mixed nuts is a potpourri of good health – walnuts are rich in Omega 3 fatty acids – almonds contain natural mood enhancing neurotransmitters – nuts also promote mental clarity and strong memory.

4              Egg yolks are rich in choline, an essential nutrient to improving memory function.

5              Avocados – a great tasting fruit that promotes blood flow and known for reducing blood pressure.

6              Flax seeds – a healthy fat that aids the cerebral cortex to function better – part of the brain responsible for processing sensory information.

7              Blueberries should really be first or second on the list. Eating blueberries improves memory function; they are high in anti oxidants and aids in preventing free radical damage.

8              Dark chocolate – rich in anti oxidants, it improves focus and concentration.

9              Whole grains are excellent brain foods and improve circulation.

10            Broccoli – a vegetable we have all tasted and enjoyed. Eat this great tasting veggie to improve memory function as well as stave off aging.

http://www.raydajacobs.blogspot.com

You are what you eat - Healthy alternatives

Are you one of those women who has had a bad experience and turned to chocolates and biscuits and binge eating for comfort? Do you stuff yourself with foods that are bad for you and afterwards become depressed as you see the pounds pile on? There is real truth in the saying that you are what you eat. You have scoffed muffins and pies and sugary doughnuts and now look like a ring doughnut yourself. Don’t fret. If you have the patience and tenacity, you can turn this around by doing the following in three stages:

Stage 1

·                     Drop the attitude and get real. Being embarrassed about your weight and becoming sarcastic with everyone is not going to help.

·                     Cut out sugar right now; not even a comfort size teaspoon of sugar.

·                     Open the fridge and discard all margarines, creams, fats, and anything containing cholesterol, except olive oil and real cream.

·                     Get rid of all cake, biscuits, desserts and sugary products. Replace with fruit and crunchy vegetables.

·                     Open the meat section and throw out wieners and sausages and any other meat products and/or salami which contain fat except for skinless chicken breasts.

·                     Discard fizzy drinks and invest in mineral water.

Have you noticed that exercise has not been mentioned yet? That is because you first have to get rid of the junk food in the house. You first have to have a willingness to accept that you have to lose weight and want to do it, and you first have to have a plan.

Stage 2

·                     There is no easy way around this except to do it. Draw up a plan that includes an hour or less every day to take a walk with a friend or go by yourself to the beach, the park, or any place where you are able to get at least forty minutes worth of exercise.

·                     Start with stretching exercises of ten minutes first thing in the morning.

·                     Do some meditation and think of yourself as a thin person.

·                     Get some books on healthy eating for recipes you can make for one.

·                     Stay away from sweets, rice, bread , biscuits or any kind of flour. Drink lots of water.

·                     Always read the ingredients on the package for hidden sugars.

·                     If you like riding a bike but are afraid to ride too far, get a stationary recumbent bike which gives good back support and makes it less wearing on the knees.

·                     Try to do a little more as far as exercising every day.

·                     You are what you eat; love yourself by staying away from the foods which you know are bad for you. Say goodbye once and for all to deep dish pizza or pizza of any kind and have a bowl of unbuttered but seasoned popcorn instead.

http://raydajacobs.blogspot.com

HEALTH SECRETS

Becoming friends with Parkinson's

Parkinson’s is a degenerative disease that gets progressively worse over the years. Some people live with the disease for twenty or more years, for others it progresses slowly and some patients have lived into their eighties. It is impossible to gauge or predict how long a P.D. sufferer will live as it depends on many factors. Still, there is much someone afflicted with the condition can do to live a healthy and productive life.

If you have always been averse to exercise, this is your time to get out your walking shoes and take active steps to keeping healthy. Walking is good for you as it contributes to good blood circulation, gets your endorphins going and also creates an overall feeling of well being. Every day you walk or do some form of exercise is a treat for your body as you cannot afford to get stiff from being sedentary – and you should not be sitting in one position for long periods of time.

Things you can do to keep active include:

·                     Playing games where words and puzzles are involved as it exercises the brain and keeps you in the loop.

·                     Work in your garden for fifteen minutes or so. Clip the dry leaves, pull some weeds, water the plants.

·                     Don’t isolate yourself from your friends. You want to live as normal a life as possible. Arrange a card game for your friends or go to the cinema once in a while.

·                     Have a nap in the afternoons; it refreshes you.

·                     Meet your friends and go out for tea or go for a walk to the park. Don’t let the words – I don’t feel well – become part of your repertoire.

·                     Get a novel from the library once or twice a day and read.

·                     Most of all stay positive and tell yourself every morning when you wake up that it is going to be a great day. Remember, not all days are rough days and everyone gets older; not only P.D. sufferers.

·                     Say thank you to God for giving you the wisdom and strength to look after yourself. The mind is a wonderful thing; it can heal. Believe that a cure is on the horizon.

Reversing Parkinsons

http://www.raydajacobs.blogspot.com

Parkinson’s Be Thy Name

It is no small matter really enjoying life for the first time after the kids have gone and all the hustle and bustle is behind you to discover that you have Parkinson’s Disease. It came like a deft thief in the night, no warning, no symptoms except for a slight tremor in the right arm. After dealing with the news and reading everything on the internet regarding Parkinson’s, I thanked God for sending me a reminder, virtually a wake up call to tell me I had another chance.

The next day I booked a ticket to go to America to visit my daughter for six weeks. I didn’t know what to expect from this disease and how long I would wait or explore or experiment with natural remedies, but I was going to try and was going to pack it in during the time I had. Parkinson’s doesn’t kill you the doctor said. Alzheimers does. Not Parkinson’s.  That’s easy for you to say, I said. It’s not you we’re talking about. You’re the one with the calculator in your hand. Funny or not, I took the reminder seriously. I would have to make a note of all my transgressions and repent. I would spend every day doing just what I wanted.  I would stay in my pyjama bottoms and t-shirt the whole day. I would eat ice cream before lunch. Who would be nasty now?

Getting serious

All joking aside, however, Parkinson’s is a serious and debilitating disease. You can’t let it control you. Now more than anything you have to do stretching exercises and go for a walk. Many people do yoga or meditation, but you have to get your body moving.

·                     Crunch and curl your toes when you sit.

·                     Keep your back straight and stand upright.

·                     If you have a nice long passage in the hall – 30 steps or so one way and 30 steps the other way – you can have three or more walks a day, for a total or thirty or forty minutes.

·                     Take small bites and eat slowly when eating and swallowing food.

·                     Eat foods high in seratonin and dopamine such as yams, bananas, nuts and so on.

·                     Do crossword puzzles and play word games to keep your brain active.

·                     Potter in the garden and tend to your plants

·                     Don’t sit in the same position for long. Get up frequently to move around

·                     Read whatever you can about Parkinson’s and let that inspire you

·                     Thank God that your meds are working and you don’t have a fatal disease.

http://www.raydajacobs.blogspot.com

Parkinson’s Be Thy Name

It is no small matter really enjoying life for the first time after the kids have gone and all the hustle and bustle is behind you to discover that you have Parkinson’s Disease. It came like a deft thief in the night, no warning, no symptoms except for a slight tremor in the right arm. After dealing with the news and reading everything on the internet regarding Parkinson’s, I thanked God for sending me a reminder, virtually a wake up call to tell me I had another chance.

The next day I booked a ticket to go to America to visit my daughter for six weeks. I didn’t know what to expect from this disease and how long I would wait or explore or experiment with natural remedies, but I was going to try and was going to pack it in during the time I had. Parkinson’s doesn’t kill you the doctor said. Alzheimers does. Not Parkinson’s.  That’s easy for you to say, I said. It’s not you we’re talking about. You’re the one with the calculator in your hand. Funny or not, I took the reminder seriously. I would have to make a note of all my transgressions and repent. I would spend every day doing just what I wanted.  I would stay in my pyjama bottoms and t-shirt the whole day. I would eat ice cream before lunch. Who would be nasty now?

Getting serious

All joking aside, however, Parkinson’s is a serious and debilitating disease. You can’t let it control you. Now more than anything you have to do stretching exercises and go for a walk. Many people do yoga or meditation, but you have to get your body moving.

·                     Crunch and curl your toes when you sit.

·                     Keep your back straight and stand upright.

·                     If you have a nice long passage in the hall – 30 steps or so one way and 30 steps the other way – you can have three or more walks a day, for a total or thirty or forty minutes.

·                     Take small bites and eat slowly when eating and swallowing food.

·                     Eat foods high in seratonin and dopamine such as yams, bananas, nuts and so on.

·                     Do crossword puzzles and play word games to keep your brain active.

·                     Potter in the garden and tend to your plants

·                     Don’t sit in the same position for long. Get up frequently to move around

·                     Read whatever you can about Parkinson’s and let that inspire you

·                     Thank God that your meds are working and you don’t have a fatal disease.

http://www.raydajacobs.blogspot.com

Parkinson’s For an early Birthday

This writer was on her way to the travel agent to book a ticket from Cape Town to New Jersey when she stopped off at the doctor’s office for a bit of shaking of the right hand diagnosis when the news she got was that she should have an MRI of the brain and was most likely in the early stages of Parkinson’s Disease. She sat stunned looking at the doctor. She was turning 65 in March and wasn’t ready for anything as intrusive and debilitating as Parkinson’s Disease. She has an active life. She is directing her second film in 2012 and no way had any inkling that she was even ill. For two days she stayed in bed and hardly came out of the room. She booked her ticket. Told the doctor she would not take any medication. She was going to stay six weeks in New Jersey and decide what she should do; take conventional medication or explore the benefits, advantages, and disadvantages of going the natural way.

Understanding Parkinson’s Disease

We have all seen Muhamad Ali and Michael J Fox on television talking about Parkinson’s and never thought that we might ourselves fall captive to the disease. After five weeks of being away from home and having had time to think, I decided that I was not going to lie down and give in. I had the disease but the disease did not have me. I was in the early stages. I would investigate hemp oil and other remedies and completely change my life. So far I have quit smoking even though I read that nicotine protects the dopamine neurons in the brain. New research has shown that nicotine protects the dopamine neurons in the brain – which may lead to new types of treatment for the disease. Scientists found that nicotine had the potential to rescue dopamine neurons in cultures from normal mice, but not in cultures from mice without the nicotine receptor. Findings suggest that it may be feasible to develop therapies for Parkinson's disease that target nicotine receptors, particularly the alpha-7 nicotine receptor.

Lifestyle adjustments for Parkinson’s sufferers

Think healthy and be positive. Find out about the foods like yams, avocado, nuts, and bananas which are good brain foods as they contain seratonin and dopamine. Drink lots of water as constipation is an issue for some sufferers. No matter how tired you are, do stretching exercises for at least twenty minutes and go for a walk. If you have problems with balance, use a stool in the shower so you can sit. Have handrails where you need them. This writer would appreciate any comments, tips, and suggestions you might have. Do post your stories, comments and opinions so everyone can know what worked for you.

http://www.raydajacobs.blogspot.com

<a href="http://0f3f7dphcghg51h4yio8xnfsf2.hop.clickbank.net/" target="_top">Click Here!</a>

Human Growth Hormone – Lifesaver or pariah?

There is often a misconception about human growth hormone (HGH) where people believe that HGH is only for children who have not achieved what in their minds is the normal milestone of growth. While this may be true to some extent, HGH is in fact needed throughout your life in order for your body to continue at its optimum and healthiest level. The clinical manifestations of growth hormone deficiency (GHD) vary, depending on when it starts. Children usually present with short stature, while adults have reduced physical performance and impaired psychological well-being. In children therapy promotes linear growth and restores body composition; in adults it improves conditioning and strength, restores normal body composition, and improves the quality of life.

Human growth hormone facts


Hearing the words human growth hormone conjures up visions of European paintings of the Spanish Court 

portraying people with extremely short stature who may have had growth hormone deficiency. In the 1800s, General Tom Thumb used his short stature to his advantage and was part of a circus. He is someone who may have had growth hormone deficiency. Today science has evolved and we know more about HGH. HGH acts as a runner throughout the body, rejuvenating digestion, reproduction, growth, and sexual desire. A good book to read is one by Dr Ikram Abidi, MD, Mastering the Master Hormone: Your Ultimate Grow Guide to the Human Growth Hormone. Anyone contemplating using HGH should satisfy themselves and read more about it. What is sure is that HGH levels start to drop dramatically after the age of thirty and boosting your HGH level can make a huge difference in your life.

Knowing your facts

You should always read up on supplements you are considering taking for the first time to determine the ingredients of the product, whether it is something that you can take, and speak to a pharmacist about the benefits as well as the disadvantages of human growth hormone. It is good to be skeptical. What we do know is that iIn middle age the pituitary gland starts to slowly reduce the amount of growth hormone it produces and it is up to the individual if he or she wants to continue using HGH to stave off old age. For adults who have growth hormone deficiency, injections of HGH can increase bone density, increase muscle mass, decrease body fat, and increase exercise capacity, all of which can make a huge difference in the quality of life. If you eat well, exercise regularly, get enough sleep, drink enough water, it all helps to maintain a good life.

Writing a best seller – Part 2

Now that you’ve read my introduction in Writing a Best Seller - Part 1, digested the information and are still there and still interested, we can start. A person who loves writing likes the process more than the rewards. He or she is always scribbling. Different writers have different habits and some write from sunrise to sunset while others write for a certain number of hours and yet others catch a few moments throughout the day to jot down some words.

Good habits for a writer to get into

·                     Write every morning at a certain hour of the day; whether it is at five in the morning before you leave for work or last thing at night.

·                     Pick a good spot in the house to write. A good spot for writing can be that cozy corner in the living room whether the sun comes in, or parked in your car along the beach front where you can record the events of the day or make notes of the ideas that have come to you during the day.

·                     Don’t force your writing. Look around you. What do you see? Seagulls? A stormy sea? Two office workers standing under an umbrella? One gets ideas throughout the day. Maybe you see a bag lady or an old man or woman or a child doing something interesting that fits with the character you have in mind for one of your stories.

·                     Read regularly. Reading other people’s books always gives you ideas and inspires confidence. Make notes of anything you find interesting.

·                     Create memorable characters by suspending the left brain from interfering with your creative activity. How you do this is by writing the name of the character in the centre of the page and writing down whatever comes into your head about that character. Don’t let the left brain interfere; just write what pops into your head, don’t question it. The right brain is the creative energy; the left brain is the critic. You need the critic when you are ready to edit, but not during the creative process. You will be surprised to see the thoughts and ideas and words flowing out of you. You can use this method to come up with names or the character’s traits and behavior or anything at all.

·                     Come up with descriptive words for your main character by googling your brain and coming up with Carmen’s traits using the method above. Is Carmen saucy, frigid, highly-strung or calm and collected? Let us see it. Let us hear the swish of her taffeta dress and smell her perform as she turns a corner. Flesh out your characters and make them interesting. Flesh out your plot. Flesh out a beginning, a middle and an end.

·                     Make copious notes of your ideas and keep a character bible. Collect characters. Develop them. Keep everything in a folder. A character will jump out and you and you will put the first words on a page. Whatever you do, no matter how silly it sounds, keep writing, and always test what you have written by reading it aloud. You will hear if the rhythm is off. An editor does not only edit with the eyes; also the ear.

http://www.raydajacobs.blogspot.com