Design of the main plot and flow with subplots to keep the reader guessing.
I generally try to run three plots simultaneously: one main and two subplots to hook the reader who might lose interest in following only one plot. For example, in my first book, High Rise, the main plot is a good old fashion “whodunit” with the Austin Police Department versus the killer(s) of Charlotte Johnson. Mix with this a subplot of the Texas Land Scam and Managed Care Revenge by a crazed doctor hellbent to cripple the Managed Care Industry and you have three stories wrapped into one with rapid sequencing and scene shifts. All of my novels utilize this particular plot design to keep the reader guessing until the mystery is solved, typically at least 3/4 through the storyline. Another feature of my writing is to keep the novels short (no more than 80k words) and under 300 pages. My intent is to offer the reader a short read, perhaps while waiting in the airport or on the plane. My books typically can be read at one sitting in 4-5 hours. I must keep copious notes on each plot to make sure that I don’t overstep plot plausibility and hopefully bring all three plots to a successful conclusion by the end of the book. I also like to keep endings open for possible sequels.

About the Author

The Creative Process of Writing is a Creative and Therapeutic Experience!

Although MP3 is the most popular format for encoding music, it is by no means the only one. There are two basic methods for compressing audio - lossless and lossy, and for each of these methods there are many formats.

Lossless compression means that none of the audio data is removed during compression. Lossy compression means that audio data is permanently removed from the audio file. Lossy compression results in smaller files, but there is no way to rebuild the audio data to its original format. MP3 is an example of lossy compression.

Lossy Compression Formats

There are many alternatives to MP3 when it comes to encoding audio files. Microsoft reportedly developed the WMA format to avoid the licensing costs associated with MP3. WMA files can be played with the Windows Media Player that is included with the Windows operating system as well as many other audio players. It features similar encoding rates to MP3 and similar file sizes.

AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) is the format preferred by Apple and is used for its popular iTunes and iPod products. AAC files can be smaller than MP3 files because it uses more efficient encoding technology. A 96 kpbs AAC file is similar in sound quality to a 128 kbps MP3 file.

Ogg Vorbis is another type of lossy compression and uses .OGG as the file extension. It is an open-source product and unlike MP3, there are no patent restrictions on its use.

Lossless Compression

For the audio purist who insists on the best quality sound possible, lossless compression offers CD quality sound. The tradeoff is larger files sizes - while MP3 can compress audio in the range of 80% - 90%, lossless compression typically compresses the file by half.

Popular lossless formats include FLAC, Monkey’s Audio, and SHN (Shorten). These formats are supported by many audio players and are popular for archiving CD collections as well as for trading music.

About the author:

Hans is editor of the Audio Howto Section of the Selected Audio Review Guide

You have permission to publish this article electronically
or in print, free of charge, as long as the bylines are
included. A courtesy copy of your publication would be
appreciated.

Silent Disco’s! by Helen Smith

Word count 349

The press have reported this week that silent disco’s are now the in thing, saying:

‘T in the park is to follow the Glastonbury Festival into introducing a ‘Silent Disco’ this year.
So that revellers can party through the night, clubbers at particular stages will be given headphones so they can continue to listen to music at high volume without upsetting the festivals neighbours.’ NME Online

Is this the end of the festival as we know it?

For years now festivals have taken place across the world. For some they have proved to be a nuisance but generally only for the minority. For the festival-goer it can be the highlight of the year, with some people taking the whole family year after year, almost as a ritual or rite of passage in some cultures!

With the introduction of silent discos are we changing the social aspect of music and dance? I can’t say as I would like to share that magical moment when your favourite band, artist of song plays with a set of headphones!

I agree that it will reduce the noise level and nuisance to neighbours and enable the festivals to play later into the night but it does trouble me to think that the whole of western culture is now becoming so ’solo’. With so many social activities now becoming available on the Internet, will our social skills gradually waste away?

There is of course a good balance to be had with Internet entertainment and face-to-face, human contact, leisure pursuits.

Let’s make sure that balance remains.

And what better than hearing the music you’re passionate about drifting across the warm summer fields!

Helen Smith
www.music-mate.com

Copyright © 2005 Helen Smith. This article is provided
courtesy of www.music-mate.com This article may be freely
published on any website, as long as the links are live, and
this notice is left intact.

About the Author

Helen Smith is webmaster to two sites, www.music-mate.com and www.fetish-mate.com

Scene 1:

George and Jerry are at the diner having lunch. Jerry eats his sandwich while George stares blankly at the coffee in front of him.
George: I don’t approve of coffee.
Jerry: How could you not approve of coffee?
George: Well it’s not so much coffee it’s that whole Juan Valdez thing. Talk about cruelty to animals.
Jerry: Cruelty to animals? They make coffee out of beans… beans don’t have feelings.
George: It’s not the beans it’s the donkey.
Jerry: The donkey?
George: Yah, have you noticed on the coffee package that Juan Valdez’s mule doesn’t look very happy?
Jerry: I don’t want to know how you can tell when a mule is happy… Hang on a second, you drink coffee all the time.
George: I am in to passive resistance. I enlighten others as to the ills of our society hoping that they will do something about it. This is my niche in life.

About the Author

This unaired Seinfeld script is an example of the comedic writing skills of Alex Reidiboim and Martin Winer

For any comedic writing needs, feel free to contact alex.reidiboim@utoronto.ca or martin_winer@hotmail.com

Drug Pass Test Trick

Drug examination has grown into a popular phenomenon across the world. Many parties execute drug trials on freshly working people or existing employees to guarantee a drug-free surrounding at workplace.

Insurance bureaus and courts carry out drug tests on a normal basis on distrusted individuals. The key enquiry that comes to your mind, when you go for some exam is how to pass any drug screen?

Cyber sites such as How To Pass A Probation Drug Test proposes the current cleansing products including eternal cleaners, synthetic substance weewee products, and saliva cleaning products, detoxify drinks and home drug test kits.

Passing Drug Testing

Passing The Drug Test provides master support for every product, with support provided by drug test people all are highly knowledgeable with diverse types of drug testing ways and results. Support is available by e-mail and telephone. Transportation is fast, with complete secrecy assured, using plain and discrete boxing materials to sustain entire customer privateness.

Drug Testing

Embedded on the new web site is a humongous range of products for detox and screening purposes. Permanent cleaners are offered in 3, 5 and 7, 10, 14, 21 and 30 day products, with a variety of herbs, roots, barks and minerals that are identified lipoids destroyers which act to break down fat cells and eliminate toxins wholly. Imitation urine is offered, which contains all elements usually acquired in urine, especially balanced for pH with specific gravity, creatine and other urine characteristics. A saliva cleaning mouthwash is tendered will clean toxins from your mouth with merely 3 minutes of use. We offer a range of herbal drinks, all accommodating the best efficient herbs and fiber to help free the body of toxins that may have accrued.

If you use Google to look the internet for us here are 10 Tremendous words to utilize to find our website.

Pass A Drug Test

Drug Home Pass Test Ways also provides drug examination kits including saliva, hair and piss based tests to see that detoxify efforts are effective. For more information, visit Pass A Hair Drug Test If you have any questions, please call us at: 800-616-6298

One of the things often found at the bottom of the pile when planning an education is health insurance for college students. Most students are at an age where the need for a medical insurance plan is the final thing they think of. As a student in your 20’s you will believe that you will live forever and you will not suffer from any illness. Unfortunately, no matter how healthy a person might seem, there is no way to anticipate their continuing good health. Suitable student medical insurance is not simply a great idea, it’s really an essential. Those fortunate to be included in their parent’s medical insurance are in general covered up to their 23rd birthday. For those who do not have insurance cover through their family policy, looking into alternative insurance plans for affordable student health insurance must be an integral part of preparing for college. What’s fundamental in medical insurance for college students? So what is a deductible? It is a yearly payment made prior to your health benefits starting, the same as an auto deductible. To use an illustration, should your deductible be $500, you must to pay that amount before claiming benefits from your insurance policy.

So what’s a co-pay? Once your deductible is met, most health insurance plans require that you pay a share of the cost of every doctor’s visit, medicinal drug or operation. This is termed a co-pay. What’s the area of insurance coverage? Numerous health insurance policies are Health Maintenance Organization and Partnership for Prescription Assistance. This can mean certain physicians might not be in your list of health professionals or not be included on a insurance plan. A directory of approved health professionals should be provided with your medical insurance policy, so be sure you take that into consideration when you pick out a medical insurance policy.

What exactly does the term catastrophic coverage mean? You should be aware that there is frequently a limit on health insurance for college students particularly as far as critical illnesses, in nearly all student policies, the cover is generally lower than any standard medical insurance policy. Limitations: Student medical insurance plans often include a number of limits. It is essential to study the insurance policy carefully to check precisely what is and isn’t covered.

Carry any medical insurance details on your person everywhere. Accidents are not only impossible to plan for, but they are regrettably likely to hit at the worst possible time. Familiarize yourself with your insurance policy even should you be included in your parent’s policy.

Courageous designs, dazzling colours, the excitement of London’s Spring and Summer seasons are fortunately on its way at last. Both Ladies & Gentlemen, it is the best time to start getting a bit of your spring / summer favourite designer garments & there is no better place on the Web to get from than the Matches Fashion store. It is vital not to panic yourself if you have no idea what’s going to be cool and what’s absolutely not this coming season. Matches will be always there to lead its existing clients every single step of the experience in the same great way they persistently do with all their stock from one pieces & gorgeous summer skirts to fancy sandals and dark glasses.

From the very start of Feb clients will enjoy one further advantage to help them get into the first-class fashion and this of course is the start of London Fashion Week. This may help anyone & everyone who wants a nudge in the correct direction. From around the 20th-24th of Feb the most celebrated event in fashion will go on and last practically 1 unbelievable week. This event lets all of the “designers” or “houses” as a number of the designers like to like to be called, to present their latest fashion collection on the catwalk and for buyers to browse at the newest fads. The fantastic event is great for all the store buyers as it lets them to have a tiny sneak peak of what’s “hot” & what is “out” for the imminent season. As a result you can 100% trust that Matches will be there in the 1st row taking notes of what they will need to procure to keep all of their loyal customers on this season’s chic style. The most important fashion affairs are to be found in a restricted number of locations around the world like Milan, Paris, London and also New York. Matches Fashion has all the latest fashion exclusives from top designers such as Burberry Prorsum, YSL and Diane Von Furstenberg to name a few.

Several of the key fashion pieces this season are believed to be by the fantastic designers such as Marc Jacobs, Christian Louboutin & Stella McCartney, all of whom consumers should recognise as being influential in the fashion world. They repetitively manufacture collections after collections of eye-opening pieces for any given event. Because of this, clothes constructed by these designers will unquestionably not come with a bargain price tag. However items obtained from them are probably going to be put in the cupboard for several seasons to come.

Graduation Gowns

The modern gowns worn today in academic institutions were adapted from the early scientific research centers on religious monasteries. The gowns were worn as uniform for the early scholars. The early academies and colleges also used a similar style of wearing robes that were simply black in color and this remained to be the standard way of dressing during any commencement in many academic institutions. Some institutions prefer having the graduation gowns in the college color so as to represent the institution. Nowadays, with the changing economy it has become harder to maintain the same standards that are set in the graduations and most people opt for cheaper garments.

In the early days, it was customary to use the common better looking and studier material but a low-cost material has been established to help reduce costs on the graduation gowns since they are only going to be used once. The low-cost gowns are made from cheaper and thinner material. There is hardly any room to customize the graduation gowns as one wants. Renting is also another option to help reduce the costs of the gowns but most people prefer to have their own gowns which have never been worn before. When preparing for a graduation ceremony one should not worry about the whole graduation regalia, it is also possible for one to make their own with the right material and design.
GraduationSource, a leader in graduation regalia products since 1960.

The Iraqi People are choosing between Liberty & Serucity due to our invasion aftermath.
Liberty or Security in Iraq?

With the liberty to fail miserably comes the liberty to succeed beyond your wildest dreams!

Unfortunately, misery & danger lead people to choose Security over Liberty. Once upon a time we fought the Communist “Red” threat in an attempt to stop Communism from spreading throughout the poor & miserable parts of the world.

Desperate people take desperate measures. Today, it is the fight against communism all over again but this time it is religious fanatics attacking the US because of it’s trespassing on their sacred “holy” land - which is forbidden their religion! And this is a serious problem with over one million Muslims having to choose between their religion & the mightiest superpower ever!

Extremism is spreading throughout the poor parts of the globe & we are on an un-winnable global crusade to eradicate radical or extremist Muslims! We can not fight terrorism with an Army because the tactics of the military going through houses & eventually shooting protesters will make more terrorists than it kills or captures! This started our Revolution with British solders here and we as Americans should read our own history & not repeat the mistakes of the past! Please read: http://www.cafeshops.com/cantfightterror

The people of Iraq are being made to decide between their Religion (as Muslims with their holy lands occupied in direct violation of their religion) and the US. But they are more importantly being required to decide between Liberty & Security.

The Liberty of free choice & self government is yielding to the Security of Religious rule. The lawlessness (looting, armed robberies, etc) are forcing the people to choose the security of their religious leaders because they are scared! A religious government with religion as its law will bring them stern security & nearly guarantee life (security)! Right now they have the freedom to die (liberty) but with their lives in danger they are choosing the false security of a religious prison - if you ask me. But the human instinct is to live now & figure out how to get free later!

Desperate people do desperate things! Our federal government rolled-in invincibly & shot-up the place just like a John Wayne Cowboy movie but failed to secure the peace. It took more land (ground) than it could hold! Shouldn’t the military know better? But military leaders are career politicians & make their decisions based on that which is good for their careers. Saying no or “we can’t do that” is seen as not being a “team player” in the political military! Again my ex-military opinion!

And now the result of the invasion is that bodies piled up with no morgue, violent crime ran ramped with gunmen in the streets, & people were & are scared to death! They fear for their lives & that is when you trade liberty for security. Unless you are like Patrick Henry who said “Give me liberty or death!” Unfortunately, most people aren’t like him.

Some people in Iraq are saying (on the news) that times before the US invasion were better with security & no lawlessness thanks to Sadam! And to me this situation in Iraq is clearly a series of Effects & the Cause is an illegal invasion by an arrogant & stupid son of an X-president - put in power by his father’s connections in government! A true career politician who is loyal to the Party & the “La Familia” of white collar gangsters who knowingly & willingly violate the Constitution whenever their Party requires it!

And what ever happened to American credibility in the world? Just look at Iraq, the poor people of the world see this picture: The White Guys (American & British) asked for permission to attack a sovereign but poor nation & the permission from the nations of the world was denied to the mighty & arrogant, rich & powerful of the world seeking revenge & oil! The rich & powerful willfully & knowingly disobeyed international law & attacked a poor nation with total disregard for the lives of the innocent poor caught in the middle! And now American companies connected to those officials leading the war, like Halliburton for example, are making millions to clean up the mess!

One Possible Solution: Vote 3rd party! Specifically Libertarian if you ask me because they are a serious threat if people ever see through the big government lies of both Republicans & Democrats or “Republicrats” as some call them! Big government “Federalists” or career politicians make their decisions based on that which is good for their careers & not that which is good for America! http://www.cafeshops.com/travispatriot Wed July 16, 2003

About the Author

In today’s competitive world of internet marketing, it is essential to be able to communicate with your prospects. Any visitor that has found your website is probably already interested in your product or service, so to convince them to buy you need to get their email addresses on your newsletter.

This is a simple 2-step process. 1) Set up a form to captureyour visitors email addresses. 2) Set up a system to distribute your newsletter.

SETTING UP A FORM

If you don’t you will be losing 70% of your potential customers. You need to be able to remind them to come back to your site and to inform them of special offers or new products or services.

You should place your form strategically on your home page where it will be noticed. It does not have to be large. A simple box on the side of the page will do fine.

Something I learnt from Mark Joyner (ForeverWeb and ROIBOT) is that if you include the word “BECAUSE” your newsletter subscription will skyrocket. Give your visitors a reason to subscribe. You could offer them free information, access to a members area, or something that will be of real value to them. You can get some ideas from our “free” page on our website.

Remember, don’t ask for too many details or you will scare your prospects away. However you can easily ask them for their name and email address. You should also clearly state your privacy policy - let your visitors know that you are not going to distribute their addresses to third parties.

If you are paying for website hosting you almost certainly have a cgi-bin which will allow you to set up a form. Some free website hosts however do not give you a cgi bin because of security issues.

If cgi scripts are beyond you at the moment, you can get a free form at Bravenet.com. With this option you don’t need to know how to upload the scripts. All you will have to do is copy and paste some HTML code onto your webpage. Bravenet hosts your form and sends you a notification whenever someone submits it.

For those who don’t know, a form works like this. You upload a form script to the “cgi-bin” on your website server (where you host your site). You then put some HTML code on your webpage. When someone fills in the form and clicks on the “Submit” or “Send” button, the information is sent to the “cgi bin” on your website server. The script you have put on your server (form handler) “handles” this information and sends you the results of the form. It will take you a few hours to get it to work properly, but believe me, if you are getting website traffic and don’t yet have a form, you are certainly losing sales.

A form will also allow you to redirect the visitor to a thank-you page. Take advantage of this and make sure you redirect them to your special offer page.

YOUR NEWSLETTER

Once your form is set up you can get it to send any email addresses either to you or to a newsletter server. If the cgi script sends YOU the form details you will have to manually copy and paste the details into a mailing list.

However you can automate this by sending the details to a newsletter server where visitors can subscribe and unsubscribe automatically. Automation of your newsletter management will save you time and let you concentrate on promotion and marketing.

Threre are a number of sites on the web which will let you start off your own mailing list such as ListBot, eGroups, and Topica. However you will also have to display their ads on your newsletter and sometimes there are delays in sending out your newsletter because of the number of free users. The above services are largely used for discussion groups so always have heavy traffic.

However if you want more control over your newsletter, you can get an excellent free script called MailMachine from Mike’sWorld. This gives your mailing list a bit more class, and you can be more certain that your newsletter is reaching your subscribers on time. You can send your newsletters out from the admin login via the web.

If you need an easy solution to handle your newsletter you can go one step further and get ROIBOT newsletter server. This is a
complete solution that can personalise your newsletter, allow you to schedule it to go out to your mailing lists even when you are away, and the cost is minimal. You can also have an unlimited number of lists of any size.

You can get the HTML code needed for a form and links to the scripts mentioned above from our website - http://www.TheWebsEye.com/newsletters.htm

The next step is to publish your newsletter. You need to keep track of what you have written and when you published it.

You also need to format it to between 55 or 65 characters a line BECAUSE: a) it is easier to read short lines b)many people set their email programs to read only 65 characters so if you wrote your newsletter with 80 characters, the lines would appear broken.

There is an excellent free application called eZine Assistant that will do all this for you. Ezine assistant can be downloaded free from our downloads gateway - http://www.TheWebsEye.com/downloads.htm.

Now you are ready to roll. Simply cut and paste your newsletter from your eZine Assistant or other text editor into the online form on your website and send it out to your mailing list.

Richard Igoe is the owner of http://TheWebsEye.com, a resource center providing valuable free tools for website design, promotion and marketing.