Trina Boice's Blog: The Boice Box, page 13

September 24, 2012

Are You A Grammar Geek Too?




                                        Happy National Punctuation Day!



               




Did you know that September 24th has officially been declared as a celebration of the lowly comma, correctly used quotation marks, and other proper uses of periods, semicolons, and the ever-mysterious ellipsis? Well, now you do, so let the party begin!#$?!

Our words, both spoken and verbal, really affect our brand and how others perceive us.

The ninth annual National Punctuation Day®, the September 24 holiday that
reminds America
that a semicolon is not a surgical procedure, will celebrate the 2012
presidential election with a literary challenge — vote for your favorite
Presidential Punctuation Mark in one, highly punctuated paragraph!





The rules: Write one paragraph with a maximum of three sentences using the
following 13 punctuation marks to explain which should be “presidential,” and
why: apostrophe, brackets, colon, comma, dash, ellipsis, exclamation point,
hyphen, parentheses, period, question mark, quotation mark, and semicolon. You
may use a punctuation mark more than once, and there is no word limit. Multiple
entries are permitted.







In short, persuade them that your favorite punctuation mark should be the
official punctuation mark of the President of the United States.  Contest
entries must be received by September 30 to be considered for prizes. The
winner(s) will receive a box of punctuation goodies, including a National
Punctuation Day® T-shirt. Send entries, including
name, address and phone number, to National Punctuation Day® headquarters at Jeff@NationalPunctuationDay.com.






In 2011, 220 entries in their paragraph contest were received from the United States, the Netherlands,
Malta, Canada, England,
and India.
 In 2010, 356 people from the United States,
Canada, the United Kingdom, France,
the Netherlands, Japan, Australia,
New Zealand, and Italy (in Italian!) submitted more than 3,000
entries in our haiku contest, including 73 from a certain New York State
employee who shall remain nameless.  





                                 Have a great punctuation day!



Trina




                                             



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Published on September 24, 2012 07:54

September 4, 2012

What you write tells


As technology advances,
new forms of communication etiquette emerge. Such is the case with e-mail.
Who was it that officially decided that WRITING IN ALL CAPS WAS CONSIDERED
YELLING IN CYBERSPACE? I don't know, but now that's an accepted rule.


During the past decade or so, email "Do's and Don'ts" have evolved and
will probably continue to do so. One of the classes offered at Workplace ESL Solutions is
Business
Writing
, where you'll learn how to write concisely and professionally.
Every word that leaves your mouth or your pen reveals a little bit about you and
creates your brand, whether for good or for bad. It's important to know how to
do it well...in any language!

To help get you started, below is a list of
some helpful tips to improve your email writing:

DO'S:
* Write a
clear subject in the subject line
* Divvy up a long email with several
topics into separate short emails that address one topic
* Press the send
button after doing a quick edit and spell check
* Keep sentences
short
* Don't use text abbreviations in emails
* Keep paragraphs
short
* Use white space between paragraphs
* Respond quickly to an
email you receive

DON'Ts:
* Write in all caps
* Reply to "all"
without paying attention to who is going to read it
* Forward inappropriate
jokes at work
* Write long, long emails so the reader has to scroll
*
Use "urgent" or "important" on every email you write


Happy
emailing!



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Published on September 04, 2012 17:15

August 24, 2012

Vigorous
writing is concise. A sentence should contain ...

Vigorous
writing is concise. A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph
no unnecessary sentences, for the same reason that a drawing should have no
unnecessary lines and a machine no unnecessary parts. This requires not that the
writer make all his sentences short, or that he avoid all detail and treat his
subjects only in outline, but that every word tell.

— William
Strunk Jr.
in Elements of Style




Do
you write for your company? Newsletters? Emails? Grants? Copy for collateral?
If so, then everything you write reflects upon the company. Our words, both
spoken and written, create images that either build or hurt our brand.


Good grammar can instill confidence in your customers and employees. We
all make mistakes, but don't worry that the Grammar Police will arrest you or
fire you. Just pay attention to what you write before you send it out.


Below are a dozen words
that are commonly used incorrectly. Just a quick review of your writing can
avoid embarassing mistakes. Feel free to print this out and keep it by your
computer for future reference.  




 


1.
The verb
“accept” means “to receive” or “to believe”.
The preposition except means other than.
The conjunction means “unless” and the verb means “leave
out.”





a.
Tim
accepted Jeff’s reason for being late for
work.





b.
Everyone –
except Chris and his supervisor – had remembered to switch to daylight savings
time.





c.
Only in
rare cases are employees excepted from the policy on
punctuality.





2.
Adverse
means “hostile, unfavorable, or harmful.”
Averse means “to have a definite feeling of
distaste.”





a.
Adverse
weather conditions grounded all airplanes.





b.
The tired
staff was averse to the idea of working till
midnight.





3.
Advice is a
noun that means “recommendation or information” and advise is a verb meaning “to
counsel or recommend.”





a.
Ralph advised me to value good advice.





4.
Affect is a
verb that means “to influence.” As a
noun, effect means “the result”; as a verb it means “to bring
about.”





a.
Your
performance in the coming year will directly affect the amount of your bonus.






b.
The effect
of the economy is hard to predict.





c.
The new
procedure will effect significant savings in time and
cost.





5.
Anxious
indicates that one is worrying; eager, that one is gladly anticipating
something.





a.
Sarah has never been anxious about speaking in public, but she was eager to play
the old hag in Snow White last month.





6.
Beside is a
preposition that means “next to.”
Besides is an adverb that means “in addition
to.”





a.
Put the
file cabinet beside the desk.





b.
Besides the
new cabinet, we need a new computer.





7.
Complement
means “to complete or go well with.”
Compliment means “to give praise.”
Both words can also be used as nouns.
The adjective complementary means “serving to fill out or complete.”
Complimentary means “given free as a favor.”





a.
That was a
nice compliment for a job well done.





b.
A fine
grape jelly is a complement to any peanut
butter.





8.
A
conscience gives one the capacity to know right from wrong. Conscious means “awake or alert, not sleeping
or comatose.”





a.
Your
conscience will guide you.





b.
Earl needs
two cups of coffee to be fully conscious at this
hour.





9.
Imply means
“to suggest, hint, or communicate indirectly”; infer means to “deduce or
conclude from.” (Writers and speakers imply.
Readers and listeners infer.)





a. I
thought she was implying that I would receive a raise; apparently I inferred
incorrectly.





10.
Lay means
“to put or place something.” It must be
followed by a direct object. (lay, laid,
laid)





a.
Please
don’t lay that report there.





b.
Jerri’s
assistant laid down the new carpeting
yesterday





Lie means “to rest or recline.” It does not take a direct object. (lie, lay,
lain)





c.
Tim likes
to lie down for a nap after lunch.





d.
He lay down
Monday at 12:30, but often he has lain down by
12:15.





11.
To precede
means “to go or come before,” while proceed means “to move on or go
ahead.”





a. A
note that preceded today’s meeting told us to proceed with part
two.





12.
“Than”
indicates a comparison and “then” refers to
time.





a.
Kevin
didn’t know any more about this than I did.





b.
First write
your resume. Then look for a
job.





b.
The tired
staff was averse to the idea of working till
midnight.




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Published on August 24, 2012 07:23

July 24, 2012

Taking Success One Baby Step at a Time


                                                               

 

Max Lucado's newest book Great Day Every Day has some excellent advice for writers, as well as for all of us searching for success in any endeavor. The following is a short excerpt that reminds us how we can reach our goals one baby step at a time:



"An accomplished Ironman triathlete told me the secret
of his success.  He said, “You last the long race
by running short ones.”   Don’t swim 2.4
miles; just swim to the next buoy.  Rather than
bike 112 miles, ride 10, take a break, and bike 10
more.  Never tackle more than the challenge
ahead."




"Didn’t Jesus offer the same counsel?  He said in
Matthew 6:34, “So don’t ever worry about
tomorrow.  After all, tomorrow will worry about
itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its
own.” 



When asked how he managed to write so many books, the
author explained that he’d never written a book. 
All he did was write one page a day."




"Face challenges in stages.  You can’t control
your temper forever, but you can control it for the next
hour.


Remember, you last the long race by running the short
ones!"



Great advice, Max!  Thanks for the reminder!



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Published on July 24, 2012 09:00

July 14, 2012

Book Lover's Bed Nirvana




                            I'm just sayin....



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Published on July 14, 2012 10:15

July 13, 2012

Get a FREE book on how to write a book!

Dan Poynter is know as an author's "guru" and now he's sharing his great wisdom for free!









Writing Your Book:


Cashing in on Publishing, Faster, Easier, & Cheaper.


by Dan Poynter

What should you write about and how should you write it?


Discover the resources to research your market, title, and information
sources. Then follow the steps for writing your book. A superb, easy,
and fun guide.


Essential recommendations for fiction, non fiction, ebooks and printed books.

You can get the Kindle edition FREE.

Download the book free on one day:


Friday, July 13 & Saturday, July 14, from midnight to midnight, Pacific time.


Log on to the Amazon page for this book and you will note that your price on Friday & Saturday is $0.00

Any time Friday or Saturday, log on to




or Copy\Paste:


http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007VP66Z0

AND, please forward this announcement to your colleagues who have a book inside them.

DESCRIPTION (Back Cover)

Reference\Book Writing

Write Today—Earn Tomorrow

New equipment and advanced techniques make writing a book faster, easier, and cheaper.

You will discover:

--What fiction and nonfiction subjects are in demand.



--How large is your potential reading market


--Where to find the information for your book


--How and where to sell your book online


--Organizational steps that make writing your book quick, easy, and fun.

“Dan Poynter is the top coach for writing, publishing and, most important, promoting.”


—John Tullius, Director, Maui Writers Conference.

“One essential ingredient to our Chicken Soup success was consulting with Dan Poynter in the early stages.”


—Jack Canfield, co-author,


Chicken Soup for the Soul series.

“Dan Poynter has generously guided thousands to authorship. Their books make this a better world.”


—Dr. Robert Müller,


Author & Past Assistant Secretary General of the United Nations.

Dan Poynter
is the author of more than 130 books. His seminars have been featured
on CNN, his books have been pictured in The Wall Street Journal, and his
story has been told in The New York Times. He is the leading authority
on how to write, publish, and promote books.

This ebook provides the shortcut to becoming a published author.

54 jam-packed pages


ISBN Ebook Edition: 978-1-56860-154-0


ASIN: B007VP66Z0




Get your free copy on Friday or Saturday (only).



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Published on July 13, 2012 00:53

July 9, 2012

Chicken Soup Books Are Good For the Soul




The Chicken Soup book franchise has been hugely successful over the past years.  If you've never read one of their books, you really are missing out on a soulful experience.  If you're a writer or someone who has had an inspiring experience that could be shared with others, you can submit your stories at: 

 http://www.chickensoup.com/form.asp?cid=submit_story



I tried submitting an idea for a great book I thought they should write, but they're not accepting that kind of proposal.  They are, however, actively looking for contributors for the following books:






20th Anniversary Reader's Choice


To celebrate our twenty-year anniversary next summer, we are
planning a book in which contributors tell us how a Chicken Soup for the
Soul story changed their lives. If a Chicken Soup for the Soul story
made a big difference to you, tell us the name of the story and the book
in which it appeared, and then write us a new Chicken Soup for the Soul
story all about how the old story helped you. We'll publish the stories
in pairs -- the old ones and the new ones. The deadline for story
submissions is November 30, 2012. 

 





Angels Among Us


We are looking for stories from people who believe that they
have encountered or been helped by angels. How did your angel manifest
himself or herself? How did your angel help you or someone you know?
Please do not send stories about people who are "angels" because they do
nice things, and also please do not submit eulogies where you say that
your loved one is now an angel. The deadline date for story and poem
submissions is July 31, 2012. 

 





Great Advice for Making Changes in Your Life


Have you ever read a Chicken Soup for the Soul story that had a
wonderful nugget of advice in it that made a difference in your life? We
are looking for stories that contain great pieces of advice, whether
they are little things that improve our everyday lives, or major
epiphanies that can change a life completely. Topics we will cover
include advice related to work and personal relationships, marriage,
parenting, health and fitness, finances, constructive criticism, taking
chances, and following your passion. The deadline date for story and
poem submissions is August 31, 2012. 

 





Independent Woman


Whether you are single or married, widowed, or divorced, you are
in charge of your life and the lives of many other people. Tell us your
story about running your independent life, achieving independence, and
being a complete person. We are referring to all kinds of independence,
not just financial or emotional. Share your story of empowerment and
independence to help women of all ages feel stronger, more capable, and
more confident. The deadline date for story and poem submissions is July
31, 2012 

 





Raising Kids on the Spectrum


If you are the parent of a child with autism or Asperger's, we
invite you to share your story about raising your child - the ups and
downs, the effect on your family, your child's special attributes and
talents, and the lighter moments too. You may use a "pen name" on your
story. These stories will provide advice, comfort and insight to other
parents in the same situation. The deadline date for story and poem
submissions is September 30, 2012.



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Published on July 09, 2012 11:14

May 31, 2012

Getting Paid To Give Books Away For Free


                                                               www.TrinaBoice.com 





How
would you like to get paid to give your books away for free?   Amazon
has a new program that does just that!  Their KDP Select-Free system
helps you get your name out in front of millions of customers.  Book
sales will not take off until your words are read, enjoyed, and
recommended. Word-of-mouth publicity is made possible by Amazon’s KDP
Select Freebie Days. Amazon pays you to give your ebooks away!

 Have
you discovered Dan Poynter yet? He's considered one of the top gurus in
the book industry, helping thousands of authors navigate the publishing
world and become successful.  He even has a free newsletter you can
sign up for with terrific tips each week.   Now he has a new book out
that teaches authors how to understand the KDP Select-Free program at
Amazon.  In his book you will discover:



--The step-by-step details on how KDP Select-Free works.


--How to set up your ebook for the Freebie Days.


--Promotion. Where to send announcements. A valuable, long list.


--Tracking your downloads and sales.


--Responding to emails from your new readers/friends.


--Detailed steps and advice. No generalities. 

Dan Poynter is also a master at advertising his book, as evidenced by some of the big names he got to endorse his new book:



“Dan Poynter is the top coach for writing, publishing, and, most important, promoting.”


—John Tullius, Director, Maui Writers Conference.

“One essential ingredient to our Chicken Soup success was consulting with Dan Poynter in the early stages.”


—Jack Canfield, co-author,


Chicken Soup for the Soul series

“Dan Poynter has generously guided thousands to authorship. Their books make this a better world.”


—Dr. Robert Müller,


Author and Past Assistant Secretary General of the United Nations.

Dan Poynter is the author of more than 130 books.  He has been a book publisher
since 1969, and is a Certified Speaking Professional. His seminars have
been featured on CNN and his books have been pictured in The Wall Street
Journal and The New York Times. 



If you're interested in checking out this book, you can find it on Amazon at:
http://tinyurl.com/7wel525



To sign up for his free author newsletter, go to:   www.danpoynter.com/sites/para/ 





Good luck out there in the book world!

Trina




www.trinaboice.com



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Published on May 31, 2012 07:14

May 23, 2012

Win a Roku in my newest contest!

                                                               www.TrinaBoice.com











Win a NEW Roku HD player with 450+ entertainment channels available, including hundreds of free movies.



 





Submit a topic for the final episode of my online book How to Stay UP in a DOWN Economy .
If your episode idea is selected, you will win a ROKU HD Streaming TV
player. If there are multiple suggestions with the same topic, we will
hold a drawing for the winner.









Submit your ideas to
contest@bigworldnetwork.com. Be sure to include your first and last
name. The winner will be notified by email. Contest ends Friday, June
15th at midnight. The winner will be announced June 25th, and the
season finale episode will air on July 25th.









By submitting your suggestion, you agree
that your topic may be used as an upcoming episode, even if it isn't
selected for the first prize as the Season 3 finale. Sponsored by Trina
Boice's How to Stay UP in a DOWN Economy and BigWorldNetwork.com.



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Published on May 23, 2012 11:24

May 16, 2012

Can your book change the world?

             



                                                         by Trina Boice

                                                        www.TrinaBoice.com





Do
you enjoy helping and inspiring other people?  Do you want to write a
book that will keep people talking and change their lives for the
better?  Think big!



If so, then you've got to see what
Christine Kloser is up to!



===>  http://tinyurl.com/74kmhnp



She has persuaded an amazing group of NY Times bestselling authors, transformational leaders and

publishing industry experts to give you their best guidance, tips, wisdom and practical advice on how

to become a successful author...for free!



She calls this online event the "Transformational Author Experience" - and you can participate from

anywhere (no travel needed) and it won't cost you a penny!  Yay!  I love free!



This is a rare opportunity to learn writing and publishing secrets from the world's top experts -

including bestselling authors like...



* Neale Donald Walsh

* Arielle Ford

* Lisa Nichols

* Barbara Marx Hubbard



And publishing insiders like...



* Reid Tracy (President and CEO of Hay House)

* Marc Allen (Publisher of Eckhart Tolle's "Power of Now")

* Bill Gladstone (Agent for Eckhart Tolle and Neale Donald Walsch)

* Dan Poynter (Self-Publishing Expert)

* Sandy Powell (President of Hay House's Balboa Press)



And many others.



In fact there are 21 experts - all ready to help you write, publish and market your book so you can

get your message out to the world.



All of the classes are organized into a 7-step system for transforming your book "idea" into a

published book - and a thriving business!



===>  http://tinyurl.com/74kmhnp



PLUS:



Register now and discover how you could win a chance to BE the next big transformational author

in the Transformational Author Writing Contest.



Getting your book idea in front of agents and publishers has always been difficult. That's why

these prizes are so exciting...



You could win...



*  Guaranteed agency representation by Bill Gladstone (Eckhart Tolle and Neale Donald Walsch's

agent)...



* Personal review of your book proposal (and consideration for a traditional publishing

contract) by Marc Allen, President and Publisher of New World Library...



* Publishing packages with Hay House's Balboa Press...



* And much more!



So, if you've ever wondered how YOUR idea can become the next great transformational book...



If you love the thought of getting your book proposal hand-delivered to the publisher who made

Eckhart Tolle famous...



Or felt frustrated you're not impacting more people and making more money as an author (or

soon-to-be author)...



This program may be the answer to your prayers!



I hope you'll see the miracle of this invitation showing up in YOUR inbox today.



And, I trust you'll accept this gift and choose to pursue your dream of becoming a successful,

transformational author (and entrepreneur).



Everything you need to know is in this program, and it's FREE... so you have nothing to lose and

your DREAM to gain!



===>  http://tinyurl.com/74kmhnp



I look forward to "seeing" you there!



To your success,

Trina



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Published on May 16, 2012 15:21

The Boice Box

Trina Boice
Author Trina Boice shares thoughts on writing her non-fiction books, reading inspiring literature, movie reviews, life tips, family fun, and more!

Visit her site to enter contests and meet some of your
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