Screenwriting ? The Value of Structure

Structure in the form of frameworks, work processes and goals enhances creative output:

a) Short term goals (incremental productivity) produce more output than a "do your best" approach. Writing four pages a day completes a words-on-paper first draft screenplay in one month. A "do your best" or "waiting for inspiration" approach can take months or years. Witness the untold number of people with unfinished manuscripts under their beds.

b) Work processes such as separating creative from critical thinking and other techniques help to a) unblock the mind, b) tap into tacit knowledge, c) trigger the mind into working at various cognitive levels and d) apply a) and b) and c) to the areas of problem identification and idea generation and evaluation.

c) Frameworks reduce complex problems into their component intellectual parts. For example, story structure can be reduced to three or four acts or The Hero With A Thousand Faces (Campbell, 1973). Frameworks increase output by reducing complex problems into smaller, more manageable problem solving exercises. Frameworks tell the screenwriter where to start, where to finish, what to write and what should be happening at a particular stage of the story.

Additionally, a structured approach improves performance in a number of ways, including:

a) Structure triggers prolific production and simply being prolific improves performance and quality. The single best creative product tends to appear at that point in the career when creator is being most prolific. Experience refines knowledge and methodology towards optimal levels.

b) Structure triggers engagement and simply engaging in the tasks results in problem identification and stimulates the mind into working on those problems at various cognitive levels, resulting in inspiration. Screenwriters often find that their best ideas come to them when they are in the middle of writing a screenplay.

c) Structure triggers problem identification which in turn triggers incubation. Problems incubate until answers become apparent. Increasing the incidence and frequency of problem identification increases the incidence and frequency of insight.

d) Increased problem identification (coupled with motivation) increases the incidence of solution seeking, through active search for stimuli and intellectual cross pollination through networks and collaboration.

e) Radical shifts (originality) occur through sustained incremental change. By incrementally modifying output, the distance between the original and final versions increases. Radical shifts sometimes result from dramatic events or conditions but the vast number of gains accrue from continuous incremental improvement.

f) Quality gains, measured on many levels, are result of sustained incremental changes.

The Hero's Journey and various story structure templates can be found at http://www.managing-creativity.com.

You can also receive a regular, free newsletter by entering your email address at this site.

Kal Bishop, MBA

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You are free to reproduce this article as long as no changes are made and the author's name and site URL are retained.

Kal Bishop is a management consultant based in London, UK. He has consulted in the visual media and software industries and for clients such as Toshiba and Transport for London. He has led Improv, creativity and innovation workshops, exhibited artwork in San Francisco, Los Angeles and London and written a number of screenplays. He is a passionate traveller. He can be reached on http://www.managing-creativity.com.

A Simple Guide to Analyzing All Those Web Traffic Ideas - Part 3

Just to recap - Parts 1 and 2 of this topic outlined some of the so-called "secrets" of website traffic being offered on-line and what you might expect for your money. If you missed either of these parts you will still be able to view them by clicking on the links appearing in the resource box at the end of this, Part 3.

It would seem from all the comments and attention I have received so far, that I have struck on a common complaint from website owners. So much so, that I have decided to write Part 3, which wasn't originally intended.

Yes, all website owners are looking for that magic formula which will give them added traffic to their sites.

You have created a brilliant site, full of wonderful information. You know people will just love it. However, there is one major problem. Nobody knows that it exists. Sound familiar? You are Michelangelo and you are confined to the Sistine Chapel where there is not a web-cam in sight for you to show your work to the world.

Enough joking around! This is meant to be serious.

You have already submitted to all the free search engines and directories. You wait. Weeks pass and your site is still not listed. You need traffic. You're desperate for traffic! So you do what thousands of others do, you submit to the temptation of all the clever marketeers who are out there waiting for people just like you (and me).

"Welcome to my parlor said the spider to the fly..." (er, sorry to inform you but you are the six-legged one here)

Have you noticed a few things about the "professors" of website traffic techniques? They all huddle together. They all refer to one another. They are all "cyber-friends." And, why shouldn't they be?

They are using one of the best marketing techniques since the day dot! Word of mouth, or in this case, word of click. They are in the business of referral. What better way to generate leads? It's a nice cosy little arrangement.

Marketer A promotes marketer B who promotes C who promotes D who promotes A. Hey presto! What do we have? We have a marketing web-ring of referring "experts" and "gurus." If you stumble into this web-ring you might just find yourself wanting to buy all those seemingly fabulous and heavily cross-referred products they offer. A, B, C and D all win. But what about you? I'm reckoning that four "information" products at an average price of US$39.95 each will set you back a cool US$159.80. Then of course, you will be bombarded with all manner of emails encouraging you to buy the latest "cutting edge" techniques as word goes out (via email) that you are hungry for information. Get yourself ready for a SPAM attack!

Here's a hint - when you get those ezines full of junk and forty lines of boring advertising links, simply go to your email settings and do the following. Highlight the line containing the offending email, go to the toolbar at the top of your screen, open up "Message" then come down and highlight "Block Sender."

This will divert the unwanted junk email to your "Deleted Items" list. When the list fills up you can then simply highlight the very top and bottom emails and everything in between by holding down the "Shift" key. Once they are all selected you can send them all to the rubbish tip by clicking "Delete".

Of course, you can always ask for the SPAM not to be sent but all that tends to do is alert the sender to the fact that you are a real live person on the other end. This can then become a signal for them to up the ante on you even more. Sometimes it is best just not to acknowledge certain emails. This is particularly true for all those annoying pornography sites that seem to specialize in this type of acknowledgement game. It's your choice.

So, you now have four or more "special reports" which you hope will reveal all the secrets of increasing web-traffic. Here's a sample:

A - "How I Generated 1000's of Hits Per Day Using This Little Known Trick."

B - "The Amazing Web Traffic Secrets I Literally Stumbled Across While Playing Golf."

C - "The Guaranteed no-BS Way to Getting 100,000 Hits in Just Three Months."

D - "How I, Homer Zantuck, a Dumb High School Drop-out Fooled the Search Engines."

(Side note: Those titles are fictitious but if any budding new "gurus" would like to use them - please, be my guest!)

Sure, they might all contain a little snippet of information that you might find useful. But is the $29.95 or $39.97 or $47.77 price tag worth it? My experience says no. What you usually get are a few sheets of paper, often only one or two surrounded by hype and testimonials about what a marvel the author is. That is the "report."

You should be wary of testimonials. All websites use them, mine included. However, if you are basing all your hopes on what "Fred Jones from Albuquerque" or "Doreen P of East Norway" allegedly said then you should think again. Many testimonials are fictitious. The only truly credible testimonials are those which carry a "live" email or website address and even then such a person may be an "affiliate" (see Part 2). So, perform your own due diligence before you buy. If you do you will certainly save money.

I have a bit more to say yet on other web traffic promises and scams. However, if I include them here it will make this article unreasonably long. Therefore, stay tuned for Part 4 where I will reveal my experiences with those schemes which promise a deluge of traffic from banner advertising on "start up pages." They are a real doozy, so make sure you have a read.

Parts 1, 2 and 3 of this topic are covered by copyright. However, all three parts may be freely used providing there are no changes whatsoever to the content and the following resource box remains intact.

PS: If you think this information might help a friend from falling prey to these dubious practices you can send them a copy of this article (or any related parts) or direct them to the website URL above. Let's get the word out and put a stop to this.

About the author: Gary Simpson is the author of eight books covering a diverse range of subjects such as self esteem, affirmations, self defense, finance and much more. His articles appear all over the web. Gary's email address is budo@iinet.net.au. Click here to go to his Motivation & Self Esteem for Success website where you can receive his "Zenspirational Thoughts" plus an immediate FREE copy of his highly acclaimed, life-changing e-book "The Power of Choice."

How I Met My Angel

Today I was in rather a whimsical mood, and so instead of my usual "how to" article, I thought I'd create a fairy tale for the child within you to enjoy.

When I was just a young soul, on my first incarnation to be a human being, I wasn't sure that I wanted to go to Earth School.

I felt so happy here, in Paradise. I did what I liked and I never ran out of time. I played with my friends and we made art by mixing colors out of rainbows, and made music by waving our hands in certain ways in the wind, and made animals to love out of the flowers in the fields. Sometimes, too, we blew bubbles out of sunshine or created small fountains by collecting the dew from petals.

"I don't really want to go to school, Mother God," I said. Azna smiled and shook her head. Her dark tresses fell over her beautiful face. "All souls have to go to school so that they can become gods and run universes when they grow up."

"Why would I want to run a universe when I can just play with my friends," I said. "And why can't I just learn in the Library Of Light. All I have to do is touch the scrolls and the knowledge is mine."

"It's not enough, Child. Theory is fine, but you only know love when you experience it."

"Ha ha," I said, "I know about love. It's easy. I love everyone and everyone loves me. That's just the way you made me."

"Yes, but you don't know about love when everyone is opposing you, and you don't understand love when you're tired and cold and lonely, and you don't remember love when everyone else has forgotten it."

"What else do I have to learn at Earth School?"

"You have to learn how to be wise."

"But I already know that. If I need to know anything I just have to ask you."

Azna smiled. "It's different in Earth School, Child. You have to learn to look for how things work all by yourself and teach others in a way that they understand as if they had discovered it for themselves."

"So then I just have to learn how to be kind and wise and then I can come home again real soon. Other souls have told me that it's over with in just a blink of the eye."

Azna sighed. "It may take a few centuries to learn these two simple things. They aren't really taught in Earth School and you'll forget everything you know now. I send spiritual teachers to remind people how to be free but they often get killed."

"Do I have to go alone," I said.

"I'll send you an angel," said Azna. "She'll look after you when you're little and even when you're bigger than she is, she'll still look out for you. "

"Good, I didn't want to be alone," I said."I'll need an angel so that I won't forget what it's like to be happy. What's her name?"

"You'll call her Mummy."

Resource Box

Saleem Rana got his masters in psychotherapy from California Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks, Ca., 15 years ago and now resides in Denver, Colorado. His articles on the internet have inspired over ten thousand people from around the world. Discover how to create a remarkable life

Copyright 2005 Saleem Rana. Please feel free to pass this article on to your friends, or use it in your ezine or newsletter. It's a shareware article.

A Simple Sales Strategy: Talk to Yourself!

You are about to speak to a potential client, go to a networking meeting or give a presentation. What should you be saying to yourself in those few minutes beforehand? If you spend that time saying what I propose below, you will effortlessly and naturally become very attractive to your potential clients. This approach is very powerful, I promise you.

What if, in those few minutes, you say to yourself:

* I desperately need this client.

* I want their money.

* I need to show them how good my services are.

* I need to get them to listen to me.

* I hope they think I am good enough.

* I need to remember my "script" and those objection handling and closing techniques.

* I don't think I am going to enjoy this.

Do you ever say these kinds of things to yourself?

Imagine how you are going to come across if you are be-ing like this? Desperate? Unauthentic? Uncaring? Not relaxed? Attached to the outcome? It's all about me, me, me. Like a salesperson? Oh no!

Instead, just suppose that in those few minutes, you say to yourself:

* I am about to have a conversation to explore if I can help.

* I really want to help.

* I want what's best for this person, even if they don't become my client.

* My focus is on what I can give, not what I can get.

* I am committed to helping but not attached to it.

* I am going to put myself in their shoes. I will look at things from their perspective.

* It's all about them, not me.

* I am going to listen, listen and listen.

* I have no expectations from this conversation.

* I am going to be me (open, honest, full of integrity, natural ...).

* I am going to enjoy this.

* I am going to forget about trying to sell them something.

Imagine now how you are going to come across if you are be-ing like this. Authentic? Caring? Relaxed? Committed? It's all about them. Magnetic? Not at all like a salesperson!

If you are be-ing this way when you are having a conversation, you will quickly build rapport and trust; people will listen to you then. Talk about your solution and products before you do this and what you say will fall on deaf ears.

I suggest you create your own written list by using mine as a starting point. Add to it over time. Say these things, out loud preferably, to yourself before you speak to any potential clients. Then sincerely (or it will not work) be like this.

This may sound silly to some of you but it works. Eventually you will be like this naturally and getting clients will become easier and easier. People will find you magnetic.

This is a simple and yet very powerful technique. Please do not underestimate it. Try it out for yourself and if you do, I promise, you'll quickly be on the path to getting a lot more clients. It's all in the be-ing!

(c) 2005, Tessa Stowe, Sales Conversation. You are welcome to "reprint" this article online as long as it remains complete and unaltered (including the "about the author" info at the end) and all links are made live.

Tessa Stowe helps Coaches and Consultants stop struggling to sell, and instead attract clients like magic! Her FREE e-course tells you how: "Attract More Clients Naturally: 10 Simple Strategies That Work ... Even If You Hate Selling!" Sign up now at http://www.attractmoreclientsnaturally.com

Wheres the Best Place to Put Google Adsense Ads?

Why, on your web pages of course. Ok, just kidding. The real question should be: "Is there really any truth to the rumors that where you place those Google AdSense ads can actually improve response?" According to my best information, the answer to that question is: Yes.

Google's own AdSense experts say that that there is a direct correlation between the placement of the AdSense ads and the resulting clickthrough.

When ads are placed in "content zones", rather than in "advertising zones", response rates on Google AdWords goes up. There are also indications showing that ads appearing on the right side of the page get clicked more than ads appearing on the left side.

Advertising analysts with degrees in human behavior and psychology have spent thousands of man-years (people-years?) studying how people read printed and Internet content and what it takes to get them to respond to ads. While some of these studies are proprietary, or are only available to anyone with $10,000 or more to spend on a copy, other studies have been made public and can be read by anyone who is interested.

Google themselves has released some relevant information which is focused directly on increasing your Google AdSense response. You can read their findings Here

Of course, all of the studies in the world aren't worth a hill of beans if the findings don't work on your web site. That's why it is important to test, test and test again. Experiment with your Google AdSense placement and track the results over a period of time. Google provides response tracking tools in your AdSense control panel. Learn how to use them. As you begin to see what may be only subtle differences in response, you'll be able to determine what works best for your particular site. But don't get complacent. What's working for you now might not work next month if you change your site design or content.

One of the most important factors in determining placement of your ads is the type of content that your site delivers. If you are primarily an e-commerce site, and you have a lot of pictures and ad copy for your own products competing for attention against AdSense ads, then it is going to be a particularly tough challenge getting any kind of decent Google AdSense clickthrough. It is situations like this that require very thorough testing and a lot of trial and error.

Blogs seem to have a lot of success generating high response rates to Google AdSense listings. Perhaps it's because blog readers realize that ad revenue is the only way that their favorite blogmaster can keep the lights on, so the readers think of clicking on ads as a way to make a donation.

Regardless of what the experts say, your best bet is to tailor your Google AdSense ad placement to what your own experience shows works best for you. In the end, you're the only expert who matters.

Diane provides marketing and internet profit tips. For more Google AdSense tips, visit http://www.adsense.deeljeabiz.com

Email : deeljeabiz@gmail.com

7 Ways Busy Families Can Volunteer

Volunteering together is a fantastic way to spend time as a family. Volunteering

--teaches kindness, compassion and respect.

--deepens family relationships. --gives kids a sense of empowerment.

--promotes learning about areas of interest, such as hunger, homelessness or human rights.

--doesn't require a lot of time.

--is fun.

--changes lives.

An excellent resource for finding volunteer opportunities is "The Busy Family's Guide to Volunteering" by Jenny Friedman (Robins Lane Press). Visiting www.volunteermatch.org can help you locat volunteer opporunities in your area.

Here are my favorite family volunteering opportunities:

1. PREPARE A MEAL FOR A HOMELESS SHELTER OR SOUP KITCHEN. Even young children can help with shopping, washing vegetables, pouring and mixing. Older children and teens can handle more complex tasks. Our family loves this one because it's personal. Get large-quantity recipes at www.angelfire.com.

2. WALK, RUN OR SWIM FOR A GOOD CAUSE. We like our local CROP Walk, which fights hunger in our area and abroad. Other events fight such diseases as cancer and cyclic vomiting syndrome.

Kids can ask aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins and neighbors to sponsor them -- just don't sent kids door-to-door without you! With hats and sunscreen, little ones can ride in a stroller or back-carrier.

3. ENGAGE IN E-ACTIVISM.

Many organizations' Web sites help you write to government officials or heads of corporations to support a cause. Examples include www.aiusa.org (human rights), www.cec.sped.org (children with disabilities) and www.maketradefair.com(helping farmers get fair prices for such crops as chocolate and coffee).

Young children can make phone calls, help send a fax, or dictate while parents or older siblings type. Enjoy great family discussions, too!

4. CLICK FOR CHARITY. One-click charity websites let you "donate" by clicking a button. For each click, sponsors featured on the page contribute to a charity.

Examples include www.rainforest.care2.com, www.povertyfighters.com and www.clearlandmines.com. You can find one-click charity ratings at http://kimberlychapman.com/charitycheck/list.html

Make the charity your home page, or add it to your favorites and click when logging on or off the Internet.

5. CLEAN UP TRASH ON YOUR BLOCK OR AT A LOCAL PARK OR BEACH. Pick a day with pleasant weather and put on protective gloves. Treat the family to a picnic or ice cream afterwards.

6. HAVE A BACKYARD CARNIVAL FOR A GOOD CAUSE.

Invite neighborhood kids for simple games and fun activities (www.familyfun.go.com/parties has great ideas). Put out a can on the refreshment table for donations.

7. JOIN THE BOX PROJECT.

Sponsor a fmaily in need in the rural U.S. Each month, send a box filled with clothes, school supplies, food and other essentials. You can exchange letters, too. Visit www.boxproject.org for details.

THERE'S A VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY TO FIT EVERY FAMILY. It may take a few tries to find the best fit, but the effort will pay off. Enjoy!

(c) 2004 Norma Schmidt, Coach, LLC

Norma Schmidt, Coach, LLC, specializes in helping women who are both professionals and parents to create balance. She offers teleclasses,workshops and individual and group coaching. Norma publishes "The Balance Point," a free e-zine, every other Friday. Visit http://www.NormaSchmidt.com

Drug Them and Send Them Out

It was around 1986, when my son Lewis was diagnosed of having ADHD. I like using the term "accused" of having ADHD. I really disagree with anyone who goes this route to get the child to learn. Most of the time it's the teachers of our children that does the diagnosing. Is this sane? Should we trust their opinion.

Yep, if you don't like the way your child behaves you can take him or her to a doctor and chances are great that they'll be placed on Ritalin. ( I really hope this isn't true.)

There are other reasons to take your child to a doctor. If by some chance you don't notice anything peculiar about your child, chances are your child's teacher has. This turns into a discussion on whether you're a fit parent of not. If you refuse to give you child the drug, some teachers have even threatened parents that they are abusing the child's educational and/or emotional needs.

Most of everything I've learned about this so called disease comes from reading horror stories.

It was once stated by some of the older generation that "children should be seen and not heard". Naturally I took it like a joke. Sometimes I wonder if it was a joke. Of course when you see a child on this drug, it appears to me that they are "just seen", and not heard.

I am just wondering if we are complying to the teachers wishes just so we can make it easier for the teacher to cope with so many elementary kids. Maybe at first thought, we don't even think about that. However if you were a teacher and you had a bunch of first graders it's possible that you'd want to drug them all.

That is not the right thing to do. My son was a very happy child. He definitely want to play. It was a shock to him to go to school. It was also very exciting. As well as I thought I knew my own child, it was argued that he wasn't learning because he had ADHD. The teacher said she repeated kept him from going out to play just because he was disruptive.

Let me diagnose this situation like I did then. Lewis wanted to play all the time. So when it's time for him to play, they would not allow it. When all the other kids comes back in from recess, he is disruptive again. "Hmmm", something is wrong with this picture. I suppose we should drug the little guy.

Lewis was no longer an active participant in much of anything. He was a zombie. But oh, how happy the teacher was.

Lewis was placed on Ritalin with a lot of pressure from the school. However, I hated it. I hated it more than anything I could think of. I constantly wondered what the drug was doing to him. I felt like I knew how he felt.

I personally had my day taking speed while driving a truck. Before my son was born, I was told that speed will cause you to have heart problems, hair loss, and even weight loss. It may even rot your teeth out. It scared me then but my job wanted the load to get to the destination. I eventually quit that job just for that reason.

It may not be caused by the drug, but my child eventually started doing things that should have been researched. It did not bother him one bit to get into trouble. He eventually hit the big time. He even went to jail at the age of 15. He pretty much stayed there till he was 18.

He wasn't out long before he went right back in. It didn't appear to bother him much. I can't explain it. I have no words to explain it. He even repeatedly did drugs when he was out of jail.

The bottom line is if you try to convince him that he is going down the wrong path, it appeared that he really didn't care. Maybe he was a zombie.

Now, lucky for us, Lewis did not die. He's not on that drug anymore and he is out of jail and doing fine with a wife and child of his own.

In my own opinion, I don't feel like this drug should ever be given to a child. I am sure that a lot of teachers and mothers will disagree. Last, I don't think the analysis of a child having this disease is accurate. I believe it's just an opinion.

If you have a child on Ritalin, or if your child is diagnosed with ADHD, it is best you learn everything you can about the drug, the risks involved and the procedure for diagnosing the disease. Frankly, I don't believe it's a disease at all.

How can we win the war on drugs when we shove them down our own kids before they even know what a drug is. Kids die because of this drug.

Everything you've read is JUST my opinion and I will not claim or accept any responsibility for you doing something based on this article. It is for your entertainment only.

Randall Stafford
http://www.randallsquare.com

Copyright 2005 Randy Stafford

Randall Stafford is giving you this free article so that you can reprint it. The contents has to remain the same. If you would like more free articles, please go to http://www.randallsquare.com