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Blog: Mel's Muse - Archive for March 2010

Teen Drug Abuse: Peer Education Training Challenges Misconceptions

Posted: Tuesday, 30th March 2010

INTRODUCTION TO GUEST BLOG BY LUCY CRIPPS

My novel, A Painful Post Mortem, has been selling now for sometime, and has raised a substantial sum of money for the two charities I chose to support with the proceeds. This month, in addition to the print edition, I decided to make it available as an e-book. Cutting out shipping by making it downloadable helps not only the economy, but also goes some way to addressing green issues.

Articles on related themes: Family & Parenting; Self Help; Assertiveness; Personal Growth

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Negative Personality Traits: How Do You Confront Them?

Posted: Saturday, 27th March 2010

Many of you have taken the free Personality Test here, on my website, so I hope you will understand when I tell you that I woke up this morning feeling somewhat at the mercy of my Type. Actually, what I thought, was that I must be turning into my father! He would tell you that he never achieved what he aspired to - and though it would be easy to put this down to a lack of discipline, I’m not so sure that it’s that simple.

PERSONALITY PROFILING

I am an INFP – Introvert, INtuitive, Feeling, Perceptive, and my Dad, as an ENFP, is the Extrovert version.

Articles on related themes: Self Help; Personal Growth

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Book Promoting & Christian Integrity

Posted: Tuesday, 23rd March 2010

You’ve finished writing your novel, your bestseller, and had it published. So now what? How do you market your book, or promote it?

You understand the need to bring it to the attention of the book buying public – your readers.

Articles on related themes: Books, Reading & Words; Life, Faith & Other Stuff

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Spoof Poetry: Or Gripes From The Chancel

Posted: Friday, 19th March 2010

No time for a blog today because we're about to go away for the weekend. So I thought I'd put up this poem for your enjoyment. It was sent to me some years ago.

IMMORAL, IMPOSSIBLE, GOD ONLY KNOWS

(Tune: St. Denio)

1. Immoral, impossible, God only knows how tenors and basses, sopranos, altos at service on Sunday are rarely the same as those who on Thursday to choir practice came.

2. Unready, unable to sight-read the notes, nor counting, nor blending, they tighten their throats. the descant so piercing is soaring above, the melody only a mother could love.

3.

Articles on related themes: Poetry; Occasional Silliness

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If You Can (Write) Do; If You Can't, Teach!

Posted: Tuesday, 9th March 2010

Growing and multiplying your talent

I came across an article, recently, which stated that creative writing courses for aspiring authors are a ‘racket’ - and I wondered what you think?

IS THIS THE TRUTH ABOUT CREATIVE WRITING COURSES?

The author of the post pointed out that among hundreds of writing tips offered by dozens of authors, not one suggested taking a creative writing course. The implication was that if you need to sit around being taught about writing, you’re never going to make it as a great writer or novelist.

Articles on related themes: Self Help; Creative Writing

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Return Of The Prodigal Son - Rembrandt Painting Inspires Author Henri Nouwen: ONLINE BOOK CLUB DISCUSSION

Posted: Saturday, 6th March 2010

Without exception, members of my real-time Readers’ Group found this an AMAZING book, and couldn’t believe how much they got out of it. To read the Questions that inspired their Discussion, which follows, go to: UV READERS' GROUP & ONLINE BOOK CLUB QUESTIONS: The Return Of The Prodigal Son By Henri Nouwen

If you think this is purely a ‘religious’ book for people of faith from a bygone era, think again. The themes are relevant to the whole of humanity, for all time. Here we are, in the 21st Century, struggling with issues that would have taxed the wisdom of Solomon: abortion; euthanasia; greed; poverty; sexual orientation; child trafficking.

Articles on related themes: Book Reviews; Book Club / Readers Group; Online Book Group

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