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It was Stephen King in his memoir On Writing, who told us in so many words that when it comes to writing, practice makes perfect. Never were truer words spoken (or written down) in the exhaustive pantheon of how-to books aimed at would-be writers. And it’s true – it takes practice to become an accomplished author, lots and lots of practice. Of course, we can’t all aspire to write as fluently or as prolifically as Mr King, but any fledgeling writer would do well to heed his words. With that in mind, let’s examine some of the more pertinent aspects of becoming a successful writer.

Source: Pixabay

Decide on a Topic

Here’s an old adage: write what you know. As hackneyed as this might appear on first reading, it’s a good starting point, and quite useful when taking Mr King’s advice to heart and writing very, very often. Literature is littered with writers that drew on their own experience. Think Jack Kerouac’s genre-defining On the Road, or Hunter S. Thompson’s anarchic, drug-fuelled Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. Both works inspired by the author’s own personal journey. So whether you’re a bona fide history buff, a whizz on the computer or you enjoy the occasional flutter on the horses, the more you know about your subject, the easier it is to write about. For instance, writers working for Oddschecker focus on horse racing tips, while those who enjoy music can come up with their own album reviews, even if they don’t have a specific publication that commissioned them.

Choose a Point of View

With some notable exceptions, stories are usually told in one of two ways: first person or third person. By writing in the first person an author assumes the identity of his or her protagonist – the “I” viewpoint – allowing the reader to get into the mind, the heart and the soul of the main character. Using the first person you’re able to generate an immediate bond between reader and narrator, giving your reader a glimpse into your protagonist’s deepest secrets and darkest desires.

But there are downsides to first-person writing. For one, it may limit the reader’s insight into your other characters’ thoughts and feelings, making the action feel stilted as scenes play out solely through the eyes of your protagonist. No such problems with our next viewpoint. In the third person narrative, the writer is omnipotent, flitting between characters, scenes and plotlines at will. This is great for building tension and developing character as we, the reader, are allowed to delve into the deepest recesses of each character’s heart and mind. Crime writers often use this for dramatic effect by giving us a brief glimpse into the perpetrator’s twisted world. Never more so than in Thomas Harris’s Silence of the Lambs, in which Clarice’s clean-cut FBI agent is beautifully juxtaposed with Buffalo Bill’s depraved killer. But be wary. It’s easy to fall into the trap of over-complicating your story, introducing too many characters and sub-plots and serving only to frustrate and confuse your audience. Be sure to keep your plot tight and your characters three dimensional.

Source: Pixabay

Create Your Characters

Who is your protagonist? What are his or her motivations, their hopes and fears? You’ll need to answer all these questions and more when creating and developing your characters. More importantly, your readers will have to care. New writers often make the mistake of thinking the plot is the most important component when sitting down to write a novel or short story; but characters make books. If yours are insipid, one-dimensional creations, even with the most fascinating story, the most shocking plot twist, your reader will put down your book faster than a hot coal. Characters need to jump off the page, they need to live and breathe; they need a purpose, a challenge, and a past. Experienced writers will infuse their characters with a complex, often dark backstory – a literary device that drives the plot while lending true emotional depth. In Ian Rankin’s first Inspector Rebus novel, Knots & Crosses, it’s the downtrodden detective’s tenuous connection to the perpetrator, revealed through a series of intimate flashbacks, in which we gain such keen insight into his character.

Choose a Setting

The best writers are able to imbue their settings with such depth and meaning that they often become characters in their own right. What would Raymond Chandler’s hard drinking, hard-bitten gumshoe be without the brooding, seamy world of downtown LA, or John O’Brien’s Leaving Las Vegas without its lurid titular city? Readers need to feel the rain on their face and the wind in their hair, to walk down the same streets and alleyways as your protagonist. Here, again, familiarity is your friend. Even the greats often look to their home turf to portray the necessary colour and realism – Stephen King and his home state of Maine, Emily Bronte and the turbulent, wind-swept moors of West Yorkshire.

Source: Pixabay

Deliver Your Dialogue

No novel is complete without sharp, incisive dialogue. Dialogue can make or break a novel, and even some of the best have been guilty of phoning it in. Thomas Hardy, for one, was often criticised for his characters’ rather predictable, prosaic discourse. Good dialogue should drive the plot forward, providing a window into your character’s soul, while adding to the overall tone and feel of your story. Dialogue is crucial for character development too – what your characters say, what others say about them, is the very foundation of a strong, relatable character. There’s a certain kinetic undercurrent to any good dialogue; in real life, people don’t speak in a vacuum, and if you want your characters to be believable you need to reflect this. Dialogue should feel natural and fluid, so try to avoid common pitfalls, such as obvious commentaries for the purposes of the plot. A reader needs to discover the story, immerse themselves in the characters; not be brow beaten by endless stilted monologues. If your story doesn’t function without constant call-backs and lengthy explanations, you need to simplify the plot.

Write Away

Above all, you need to enjoy yourself. Writing, in its purest form, should be a pleasurable experience. Whether you’re a published author or a part-time hobbyist chipping away at your very first short story, you should get as much joy out of putting your pen to paper as the millions of us around the world do cracking open the latest bestseller. And who knows, if you take Stephen King’s advice and practice, practice, practice, maybe it’ll be your memoir inspiring the next generation of would-be authors.

Not every teacher is remembered fondly by their students. But those that are, everyone will always remember them as this amazing person that has helped shape the minds of young people throughout their life. It’s definitely not easy being a teacher, as it requires a lot of patience, dedication, and hardship on the teacher’s part. But once you’re over that hump, it becomes perfectly clear that being a teacher is one of the noblest careers you can choose.

You make a massive difference

Even if you don’t realise it, by every action you take in the classroom – and sometimes even out of it – it will definitely affect the lives and minds of young people. Something that you’ve thought of only as a common remark, kids might hold it in their hearts and repeat it to their children once they grow up.

You learn new things

You might be the one in charge of the classroom and teaching the children, but you’d inevitably start learning new things yourself. The kids might teach you as much, or maybe more, as you teach them. You’ll also gain new valuable skills, like running clubs or being a counsellor, or you might gain an even deeper appreciation of the arts.

No day is the same

With kids, no activity is the same twice. Teaching them does require patience, but you’ll also be rewarded with unique things happening in your life again and again. You’ll be really grateful for all the experience those young minds have given you.

You’ll build new relationships

Being a teacher means you have to be sociable. Not only will you improve your social skills by staying in contact with other teachers and parents, but you’ll also create relationships with the wider community as a whole. You might even become a role model to some of those young people.

Immense satisfaction

There are truly few satisfactions like the one you get when one of your students finally gets it. The look on their faces when the final pieces of the puzzle finally clicks in, and you’re the one that is responsible for all of that is truly treasurable. It can be as simple as finally figuring out that math problem, finishing a book, or improving the quality of an essay they wrote but, they will thank you for helping them with their success.

Worthwhile gratification

Once you hear the first sounds of thanks, be it from a student or a parent, you’ll immediately feel amazing. Not to mention the gifts at the end of the year as a form of gratitude. It’s not important what the gifts are, but the message behind them is important. Some parents or students might be hard to deal with, but those that understand you’re going the extra mile, will be absolutely grateful.

Anyone can be a teacher

Maybe not in the literal sense of the word, but anyone that’s willing to put in the time and effort to make a difference in the lives of young minds, can be a teacher. If you want to be that kind of person that shapes the futures of students, then consider enrolling for a supporting teaching and learning in schools level 2 certificate over at Brighter Learning. It might just be your calling.

As one of the few noble professions out there, teaching is as much as about learning as it is about teaching itself. It can be a long and arduous road, but it’s definitely worth it in the end.

If you own a garage or other business within the automotive industry, it is vital that all staff are proficient at their job. For Jeff Lupient MN, this is one of the key things he focuses on in his role as President and CEO at the Lupient Automotive Group. After a decade of experience in management following his graduation from Hamline University, Jeffrey Lupient knows his business. At Lupient Minneapolis, only the best of the best will do, and this is why the company places such a focus on service manager training.

Jeff Lupient MN on the Importance of Service Manager Training

Jeffrey Lupient has charged himself with making sure each of his employees have all the skills and knowledge to be the best they can be. This means that he offers ongoing training so that everyone always has up to date knowledge. His management team is responsible for identifying the star workers, the ones who know and use current information to make the business thrive.

Training is a key investment that any business, regardless of industry, should be happy to make. When employees are properly trained, they know what to do and how to do it in the most appropriate way. This improves customer service, reputation, and more. In essence, it raises a business to new heights and therefore also provides an excellent return on investment.

It is still very common for automotive businesses to lag behind. They forget to train their staff properly and remain dogmatic in their approach. The result is that the business fails to grow and can’t keep up with the economy. It is for this reason, as well, that most automotive companies continue to attract low star reviews.

For Lupient, the focus should be on the service manager, as they play a key role in overseeing everyone else. If they are to do well, they must understand every element of their business. This means they also have to have a full understanding of the paperwork and administration involved in running their shop. This is a big undertaking and one that requires ongoing training through which they can remain up to date with techniques, strategies, rules, and regulations.

Indeed, the various laws, rules, and regulations are particularly important to remain aware of, as well as some of the most difficult. An example is found in the hazardous materials used within the automotive industry, which are heavily regulated. Should a service manager not be aware of those rules, they could attract legal problems and hefty fines, to the extent that the business could go under.

Additionally, they must have strong office skills, which includes marketing and accounting. This ensures they can deal with the necessary paperwork, while also creating a strong face for their business. They work on creating invoices, dealing with insurance claims, arranging finance, and more. A lot of work is involved in this, but for Lupient, the payoff is that the business thrives and grows, and that is what it is all about.

As you know as a parent, the right school for your child will make all the difference in his or her successful academic career. What’s good is that today, there are many options available in education that goes beyond the public school down the street. However, with the abundance of options come the confusion over how to pick the best one to choose for our children.

It is vital for parents like us to know what to look for in a school so we can make the best decision and that our child receives the best possible education for his or her unique needs. Oftentimes, it could be the public school down the street. Regardless, other children may require a different environment to facilitate their learning process most effectively.

The choices available. There are many parents that are still unaware of the different choices they have for their children’s education today. Education.com found out the some of the options generally available in education include:

• Neighborhood Public Schools
• Charter Schools
• Private Schools
• Homeschools
• Alternative Schools
• Magnet Schools
• Online Public Schools

It is crucial to learn the different types of schools available in your vicinity as this will allow you to make an informed choice for your children.

Choosing the right fit. To start looking at the best learning environment, you need to begin setting the following criteria, which includes the following:

• What you’re looking for your child to learn. This includes specific subject matter such as, english and writing or math, and at which level of academic difficulty.
• How your child learns best. Every child will have a specific learning style and challenges.
• Social necessities or level of contact with peers.
• Practical matters, including extracurricular, scheduling, proximity, activities, etc.

Finding a focus. Most schools offer a wider range of study than others. Primary schools Singapore has today offers primary education that is built to engage learners from every walk of like. If you think it’s vital for your child to learn a second language during his primary grades, then pick a school that offers foreign language as an integrated part of the curriculum. If you’re looking for your child to have a background in the arts or get an education with a religious slant, then find a school that offer these components.

Create a list. You can create a list of the features that you want in the school that you want your child to attend in. The basics to look for at any effective school include great teachers, visibly busy and happy children, rigorous curriculum, vibrant and pleasant parent-teacher association, and that the parents are welcomed.

Speak with parents and students. The staff will generally put their best foot forward when you visit a school, but the parents and students at the school will most likely tell it like it is. Speak with your neighbors or parents you meet while visiting the school to know if they and their children are happy with the school. Ask if the staff is responsive to concerns and needs and if parents are encouraged to be involved with the school’s operations.

After gathering information and assessing them, the bottom line is to pick a school that you and your child feel best about attending. In most cases, you will simply get a good feeling about the school itself, the staff or other features. The school you choose will undoubtedly make a difference in your child’s academic future, so research well into your options and then choose among the primary schools Singapore has to offer that feels the best to both of you.

That’s it! You are now poised to make the best-educated decision for your child.