Hirst

As a Copy Editor and Web site Reviewer I would like to share some concepts on writing with you. Let me begin by mentioning that for those of you that hate to write and have found the need to share your thoughts there is hope!

Ghostwriters can effectively create content rich content for your use usually for a very small fee. Look at most all of our President's First Ladies' books that have been written in recent years. Each and every one was written by a ghostwriter. For example I have heard it said, Hillary Clinton's book "It Takes A Village" was written by not one but three ghostwriters. However you don't have to be famous to take advantage of these services. If you do decide that you want to write your own story perhaps you might want to make note of some of the most misused words and phrases so you don't get caught in their snares.

The most often abused set of words that are used ineffectively and improperly are the two words 'effect' vs. 'affect'. Think of it this way, effect is the thing that causes the action while affect is the end result. Perhaps that will help you keep those two from being entangled. I am sure you can think of many more that you have tripped over from time to time. To my thinking the second set that you should pay attention to is the set or words its and its. The first one is possessive, meaning something belongs to it while the second is a contraction for the two words it is. Watch out for those two and if you find yourself stumbling over them read them out loud as it is. If it doesnt make sense that way then it is wrong and you should not use the apostrophe.

A wide vocabulary is a repository that pulls together your ideas and generates powerful arguments. Have you ever been in mid thought or sentence and said, "What's that word I'm looking for?" As an author and editor I find myself constantly searching for just the right word or phrase. One of the most valuable tools to employ is a thesaurus. However there are times when even those will fail you. Perhaps you have been looking for a tool to supplement your current source or one that will assist you in understanding the proper usage and definitions.

For the last year I have been using White Smoke. If you would like more information on this wonderful program White Smoke offers a demo at their website at (http://network.adsmarket.com/click/imNsnY2ff523YZicZZ1-w4tjmJ6NnYOUjw). It provides not only antonym and synonyms but definitions as well. Another benefit of using this program, for me, is that you can specify the type of writing you are doing and it will provide you with options that fit that writing style. For example, if you are writing a business letter the suggestions it gives for enhancement and replacement are totally different than if you were to specify your content was for dating purposes. I am certain you will find this tool a valuable resource.

Words should be fun. Learning to use them properly is imperative in the internet environment. Not only spelling but sentence structure are all laid bare as we are limited to the written word for most of our online communications. The right words in the right form written in a well formed sentence can clarify and fortify your message.

Language reflects not only our culture but our ideas. It explains our lives and our life experiences. It is our way of transferring our observations and perceptions to one another. Communication is a two way street. It helps you understand the others and others understand you. This being the case it is important to remember to clearly state what you want the reader to understand. For instance, just because you know what an acronym means doesnt mean your reader will. Clarity makes for better understanding and better understanding makes for better communication. You may know that SEO means Search Engine Optimization but your reader might not. So, write out your acronym no matter how often you have used it in the past before relying on it to stand alone in your writing. Clarity is key! If your sentence seems too long it probably is; break it into two easier to understand sentences in that case. Remember to keep your sentences short and sweet they will be much easier for your reader to follow along.

Yet another point that bears making is that when you use words improperly or even just spell them incorrectly it implies that either you are lazy, misinformed, or just plain uneducated. There are several words that seem to inevitably end up misspelled. You may want to make a mental note of some of these so that you dont trip over them. I will share with you a few of them here but please note this is in no way a comprehensive list.

Accidentally
Definite
Disappoint
Duel
Existence
Immediately
Impostor
Incidentally
Parallel
Principal
Principle
Sentence
Separate
Speech
Too
Tragedy
Until
Villain

One valuable piece of advice is not to overuse 'big words' just for the sake of using them. I strongly agree with Don Watson's principals clearly stated in his book "Death Sentences". Management Speak (and over usage of unfamiliar terms) will make your listener or reader's go brain-dead quicker than a Sunday sermon. I offer the following excerpt from a book I recently acquired, see if your brain picks up every word and follows along with what the author is trying to express or if, like me, your brain shuts down and your eyes glaze over.

"Not a succedaneum for satisfying the nympholepsy of nullifidians, it is hoped that the haecceity of this enchiridion of arcane and recondite sesquipedalian items will appeal to the oniomania of an eximious Gemeinschaft whose legerity and sophrosyne, whose Sprachgefhl and orexis will find more than fugacious fulfillment among its felicific pages."

In closing I would like to offer one last bit of advice; grow your vocabulary first then practice using the words properly before incorporating them in your speech and writing.

Copyright 2006 Ginger Marks

Ginger Marks is the founder of DocUmeant, Your writing & design assistant. For more information, visit her website at http://www.documeant.net Currently she authors a column on business development and personal growth at ArticlesOn.com (http://www.articleson.com/Category/Business-Development-Personal-Growth/289). Mrs. Marks latest eBooks Presentational Skills for the Next Generation is available through her business site DocUmeant.net. In addition she offers a FREE monthly e-Newsletter titled Words of Wisdom. To receive your copy sign-up at http://www.documeant.net

Many people love to hook up and have sex, but hate to pay the price to play. Lets face it. We have become complacent about safer sex. Are you using condoms, correctly, every time you have sexual activity with a partner? You could be taking your chances and become infected with HIV, Herpes, Chlamydia, or any of the other not-so fun STDs. I dont mean to rain on your parade. I just want you to consider being safer in the bedroom (or wherever you play).

Here are some myths you might be thinking about sexuality and why you are not as safe as you might think.

Myth #1: I dont need condoms because they just dont feel as good when Im having sex. I wont get sick. After all, Im healthy, and my lucks been good so far. Right.

Myth #2: My new partner is HOT! They look good; they must be safe and healthy if they are that hot!

Myth #3: I feel fine. I have no symptoms so I must not be sick or infected with any STDs.

Myth #4: What happens in the bedroom stays in the bedroom. I just wont think about it and magically I will stay well.

Myth #5: HIV and STDS are no longer a concern since safe sex came along.

Here are some reality checks and tips to counteract the myths.

Reality Check #1: No matter how healthy you are, you can become infected if you have unsafe sex with an infected partner. Intercourse of any kind, fisting and sharing of needles for drugs including steroids are some of the highest risk behaviors.

Tip 1: Use condoms and latex gloves during sexual activities. Lubricating the inside of the condom with a water-based lubricant can help improve the sensation. Flavored condoms or flavored lubricant on dental dams taste better for oral pleasures.

Reality Check #2: Hot or not, anyone could be infected. I advise you to assume everyone is infected. Unless you share a clean bill of health over at least a one year period and you are 100% exclusive, there is no way to ensure that either of you is disease free.

Tip 2: Get a thorough checkup at least once or twice per year. This can help you to maintain optimal health.

Reality Check #3: You can be symptom-free and still be infected. It is only if and when your disease(s) have progressed that you become aware of them. The Center for Disease Control estimates that 24-27% or persons infected with HIV are undiagnosed and unaware of their HIV infection.

Tip 3: If you are diagnosed with an STD, seek treatment as soon as possible. Herpes and HIV dont have a cure yet, but they can be managed in most cases.

Reality Check #4: Wishing and hoping cant make you well. Only taking care of you will. Using safer sex methods always helps increase your chances.

Tip 4: If you have no condoms, try some less risky behaviors such as massage or mutual masturbation on clean, healthy skin.

Reality Check #5: Heres a news flash. According to the CDC, At the end of 2003, an estimated 1,039,000 to 1,185,000 persons in the United States were living with HIV/AIDS, and about 50,000 new cases each year.

Tip 5: Stay informed. Keep a new and fresh supply of condoms, gloves, dental dams and water-based lube around. Make sure they are not exposed to too much heat, cold, etc. Dont keep them in your wallet for weeks and months. Buy or bring a fresh one if you are going to hook up tonight. Your health, and your life may depend on it.

If you would like to learn more about sexuality and relationships you can visit our website at http://www.healingcouch.com We have free articles, and a quarterly e-newsletter called the Sexuality Times that you can subscribe to. If you want to know more about what to look for in relationships and red flags, I invite you to check out our book special on our new book, The Ultimate Compatibility Quiz for Couples; Find the Green, Red, and Black Flags in Your Relationship. Have you ever wondered if you and your partner are compatible? This book contains over 240 questions that can identify your strong points and your problem areas so you can decide if you should stay or head for the hills! If you would like to get in on the talk show special on our website at http://www.healingcouch.com.