Pumping Your Muse is a 136-page non-fiction, self-help writer’s manual that is conveniently available in both electronic and print format. The hardcopy is coil-bound - perfect for an inviting workbook.

Published just recently in June 2005, this book belongs on every writer’s reference bookshelf. Donna Sundblad’s goal for her manual has certainly been met, as Pumping Your Muse is able to stretch the readers’ creativity beyond their normal limits by developing skills and focusing creative energies in new directions.

The author focuses on the ability to build worlds through a variety of exercises including reflections, perspectives, balance, using multiple sensory tools and expanding thinking patterns. Readers will learn about tracking implements such as cards, journals and maps that help develop a detailed world for the reader and make the book a whole experience.

Following every exercise like a home-school class will take several weeks and will definitely improve creative writing skills. Pumping Your Muse could also be used as a refresher course, a tool during the proofreading processes of a manuscript, or to get past writer’s block.

Donna Sundblad keeps the continuity flowing at an interesting pace and has allowed space for notes at the end of every chapter. Her useful manual also includes a number of excellent writer’s resource websites.

I recommend that readers review the entire manual and then return to chapter one before they actually begin the program. In this way, the reader will be more familiar with the reasons and goals for each exercise. I’ve been anticipating my return to chapter one since I began the reviewing process of this book and have no doubt that my skills will be improved because of the exercises in this manual.

ISBN#: 0970863578
Author: Donna Sundblad
Publisher: ePress-online.com ~ Writopia, Inc.

~ Lillian Brummet - Book Reviewer - Co-author of the book Trash Talk, a guide for anyone concerned about his or her impact on the environment - Author of Towards Understanding, a collection of poetry. (www.sunshinecable.com/~drumit)

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Hanging sheetrock can be back breaking work and almost impossible to do without two people, particularly if hanging sheetrock on the ceiling. Most professional drywall hangers and do-it-yourself homeowners use a drywall jack or a homemade T-bar to hold the drywall in place while they fasten it to the ceilings. However, for the do-it-yourself homeowner renting a drywall jack can be expensive and using a T-bar can take some getting use to. There is now a new alternative. I recently discovered a rather innovative tool for hanging drywall on ceilings and walls. The tool is extremely low cost, simple to use and very effective for holding drywall in place.

The drywall tool goes by the name “FREE HANDS”. It is effectively a support tool for hanging sheetrock on ceilings and eliminates the need for a drywall jack or a T-bar. In addition, the device can also be used for hanging sheetrock on walls. Its simplicity is what makes it so unique.

The FREE HAND drywall tool simply consists of two small brackets that can be quickly secured into ceiling joists or wall studs prior to hanging the drywall. The drywall installer then simply slides the drywall into the FREE HAND tool to support the weight of the drywall while it is being secured with screws or nails. FREE HAND can also be used on walls, by measuring down from the ceiling 48 inches and securing the FREE HAND tool to a wall stud. The sheetrock can then be slid into place up against the wall studs and then fastened with drywall nails or screws.

Though FREE HAND is low tech it is very effective and low cost. The developer and manufacture, Quality Tool, advertise and sell the product on their website.

The next time you plan on hanging sheetrock you may want to consider this alternative for holding drywall. It could save you time, money and maybe even a sore neck and back.

To learn more about FREE HAND visit http://www.freehand2000.com

Over the past 20+ years Mark Donovan has been involved with building homes and additions to homes. His projects have included: building a vacation home, building additions and garages on to existing homes, and finishing unfinished homes. For more home improvement information visit http://www.homeadditionplus.com and http://www.homeaddition.blogspot.com Also visit http://www.freehand2000.com to learn more about FREE HAND.

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In the 30-plus years I spent working in advertising and marketing, one of the most frequently asked questions I got from retailers was “how can I make sure I have successful sale?” While there are no hard and fast answers to this question, there are some guidelines you can follow to maximize your chances of that sale being successful.

First, if your store is in an area with fairly frequent rains (or snows), do not, and I mean, do not have a one-day sale. You put in a lot of work preparing for and advertising a sale and what could be more depressing than sitting in your store for 12 hours on your sale day watching the rain come down and no customers come in?

Second, make the sale a legitimate one. We have one chain of department stores here that has so many sales, we often wonder what its prices would really be during a non-sale week. If you really are clearing out old inventory, don’t be afraid to say so. Don’t have a moving or going out of business sale unless you really are moving or going out of business. If you have genuine markdowns, feature them. Titles like Carnival of Values, Red Tag Sale or Bargain Days are pretty much clichés and should be avoided unless you just can’t do any better.

People are getting to be very sharp buyers and can usually tell the different between a real bargain and a “sale bargain.” Your competition today isn’t a store across town that sells the same things you do. It’s sources on the Internet like eBay, Overstock.com, and Amazon.com.

How can you beat these Goliaths? There’s only one way I can think of and that’s personal service. You might not be able to sell your merchandise cheaper than Amazon.com or Overstock.com, but you can treat customers like royalty and everybody likes to be treated as if they were someone special. Keep track of your customers’ names and addresses so that you can send them special offers, a thank you note for shopping with you or, depending on the nature of your store, a newsletter.

In this same vein, I also like to see retailers give customers an extra- special reason to come in the store. Free giveaways are powerful even if they seem tired. Try offering something free to the first 25 or 50 customers to give people a reason to come in the story early. It doesn’t have to be anything expensive; people love to get free stuff even if it has little value. If your business is antiques and collectibles, maybe there is an inexpensive “super wax for furniture” you could give the first 25 customers. If yours is a jewelry store, how about free silver polish? A tire store could offer a free tire gauge. Or if you own a liquor store, how about a booklet of drink recipes? And so on.

So far as advertising is concerned, you will want to run ads a couple of days in advance of the sale and you should buys as large an ad as you can possibly afford. I have seen too many retailers cheap out with small ads that are barely noticeable and then wonder where the customers are. In fact, given a small ad budget, I feel it’s better to run only one big ad the day before your sale than two or three small ads.

Following these suggestions won’t guarantee a successful sale but it will help ensure your next sale goes great!

Have you heard about HD radio technology? It makes AM sound as good as FM and FM sound almost like you were listening to a CD … and its free! To learn more about this amazing new technology, just go my Web site, http://www.hd-radio-home.com, to get all the buzz. Douglas Hanna is a retired marketing executive and the author of numerous articles on HD radio and family finances.

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Having clean air to breathe is not just a luxury and many people are learning about the various ways to improve air quality when they are indoors. One of the methods to help improve air quality is the use of humifiers and dehumidifiers to control the moisture in the air. Air moisture may not be something that you thought a lot about, but it could be a large contributing factor to the negative symptoms that you experience at times.

That means then that air moisture can be a very important factor in comfort when you are indoors and can also significantly contribute to your overall health as well. Consider the following health issues and how it relates to air moisture:

Many allergy sufferers have a severe allergic reaction to mold in the are or on surfaces and fabrics around them. This mold issue is usually directly tied to the amount of moisture that is present in the air in that space. By reducing the air moisture content the mold allergy can often be brought under manageable control. High humidity at high temperatures can also sometimes lead to heat exhaustion or heat stroke in extreme cases. And dust mites that often trigger allergy attacks begin to die off when the humidity level drops below 50%.

On the flip side, when the air is too dry people can be uncomfortable and can suffer from dry mucus membranes which can lead to nosebleeds and infections. Low humidity can also aggravate the symptoms of asthma at times.

A good way to track air moisture indoors is to get a digital hygrometer to actually monitor the humidity in the air. It’s a simple gadget to read and the information it produces can be invaluable.

You see most people feel comfortable at 45-50% humidity between 68-72 degrees. That is considered the optimal comfort zone. Some variance on either side of the optimum zone is fine, but wide fluctuations can be hard on your health. If the humidity level falls below 30% you should turn on an air humidifier to help put moisture back. If the moisture level consistently rises above 60% in your home, you should employ a dehumidifier or air conditioner to reduce the moisture level.

By following the guidelines listed here you can help increase your indoors comfort level and improve your health easily and quickly.

Duane Johnson - All About Home Air
Purifiers is a site that provides free information, tips, and resources for finding the best home air purifiers, commercial air purifiers, humidifiers, and dehumidifiers to help improve your health.

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There are numerous benefits to fitting alloy wheels to your car. For a start they are cast from aluminium which means they are light-weight, and more attractive than regular wheels. They are great at dissipating brake heat and small amounts of more rigid metals the presence of which helps prevent cracks propagating. They are also available in standardised sizes, to fit almost every car.

One of the best advantages of the wheels in performance terms, is the reduction in your cars unsprung weight, meaning a reduction in rotating mass at the ends of your suspension components. This means improved steering and greater breaking response.

For those who have not yet purchased those shiny new rims, these definitions might go some way to clarifying the elaborate specifications you will see when you’re out shopping. When in doubt, there are plenty of alloy dealers willing to lend their expertise, and ensure you get a wheel that suits both you and your car.

Offset - The offset is usually engraved on the wheel, and means the distance between the wheel’s centre-line and the hub mounting face at the back of the wheel. Wheels with their mounting face towards the front fact of the wheel are called Positive Offset wheels. Most front wheel drives are this kind. Wheels that have their mounting face level with the centreline of the wheel are called Zero Offset wheels. You can guess therefore, that wheels with their mounting face towards the rear of the wheel are called Negative Offset wheels.

PDC - This stands for Pitch Circle Diameter. It measures the diameter of the circle drawn through the centre of the bolt holes of your wheels. It is measures in millimetres and will often help you ascertain how many studs or bolts the wheel will have.

Centrebore - This is the size of the hole at the back of the wheel into which the hub fits. This hole needs to match the size of the hub exactly, in order for the wheels to seat properly. Most modern wheels are referred to as ‘hub-centric’ - meaning the hub is ‘load-bearing’. This means that all the bolts or studs do is hold the wheel onto the hub. ‘Lug-centric’ wheels imply that you bolts or studs have a more critical job, so you need to ensure you check and tighten them regularly.

Up-Stepping - This relates to the practise of increasing your wheel-diameter and reducing the profile of your tyres. This can increase the handling of your car, response and feedback.

When fitting new alloys, initially you must ensure you have the right kinds of bolts, as they have various diameters, threads and seatings - something that your wheel supplier will be able to advise on.
It is normally recommended that you get a professional fitter to do the job for you anyway, so buying your wheels from a dealer willing and qualified to fit them is a good idea. If you spend money on a quality pair of wheels, have them professionally fitted and keep on top of the grime and damage regularly - your alloy wheels will repay you by lasting a lot longer than you would expect and will look a good deal shinier too.

About The Author: Topgear LTD own depots all over the country and run an extensive online shop selling car tyres, alloy wheels, stainless steel exhausts, catalytic converters and more. To browse their secure online store, enter their Car Of The Week competition, or find out where your nearest depot is, see their website: http://www.topgear.co.uk.

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Recently there has been a lot of buzz regarding a hot new weight-loss
product called hoodia. With all the conflicting information out there, it
can be difficult to choose the right hoodia diet pill for you.

Before shopping for a hoodia diet pill, you need to be properly informed.
Read on to find out more about hoodia and how it can help you lose weight.

Hoodia is a prickly cactus-like plant called a “succulent.” It grows about
18 inches tall and features large, creamy blossoms that are unpleasantly
scented. The San tribe, also known as African bushmen, have used hoodia to
suppress their appetites for centuries.

Hoodia works in a way similar to glucose, except that it is 100,000 more
effective than glucose in suppressing unhealthy food cravings. Researchers
from Rhode Island’s Brown University discovered that hoodia suppresses
appetite by tricking the brain into thinking you’re full.

The only place hoodia can legally be exported from is the Western Cape of
South Africa in the Kalahari desert. After 30 years of study, the South
African national lab was able to identify and isolate the component in
hoodia, called P57, that caused the appetite suppression. Once they did,
they got a patent and licensed it to a corporation called Phytopharm for
millions of dollars. Phytopharm is currently working on producing bars and
shakes that are made with pure hoodia. These products are expected to hit
the market by 2008.

There are many different products on the market that contain hoodia. Before
buying a hoodia diet pill product, be sure that what you’re buying is either
pure hoodia gordonii or contains a high concentration of it.

There have been no reported side effects from taking hoodia. So, if you
experience unpleasant effects after taking a hoodia diet pill, they are
coming from the other ingredients and not from the hoodia itself.

Gary Stephens is known as the king of diet products. After losing over 60lbs with the use of certain diet products, he now writes informative articles and reviews of popular weight loss products. To learn more about Hoodia please see http://www.hoodiahaven.com

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Planning for a successful party your guest will remember for a
long time is no small task. Party planning is a job with many
important components. The importance of careful planning is
depends on the size and significance of your party. If you are
planning a party of a lifetime, you are going to be under much
more pressure than planning a weekly poker party get together.
Determining the magnitude of your party is the most important
first step in your party planning process. Setting your party
budget and how many people you are inviting are close second and
third. Your budget and the number of guest are among the two
most important aspects of the entire planning process.

Think of you party budget as an opportunity not as a challenge.
There is no such a thing as too much money spent on a special
event. Anyone can spend a ton of money on a party and make it an
unbelievable event. The challenge is to create a great party on
a small budget. Before you spend a dime on anything set your
budget and stick with it.

Your party planning must include the following details: food,
decorations, party favors, and plates, cups and napkins. All of
the above depends on your budget and the number of guest you are
inviting. Don’t go shopping without a list to avoid buying on
impulse. The biggest threat to staying within your budget is
impulse buying. Go shopping with a mission, don’t improvise and
always avoid impulse buying.

The food that you choose for your party is significant. A more
formal party normally requires more formal food and serving. An
informal party requires simple food such as pizza or other
finger food. Take the season and geographical location into
consideration as well. Is your party planning being done for a
theme party? If you are planning a themed party then have foods
that suit it. Serving fish and seafood at a beach party is most
appropriate. Serving fruits and vegetables during a summer party
is a good fit. If you are planning a luau themed party have
Hawaiian foods and drinks.

Party planning can be stressful, but it should also be fun.
After all you are planning a party, enjoy it!

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Did you know that there are specific psychological triggers
you can use to influence the decisions of peoples and persuade
them to buy what you are selling?

By knowing and using these psychological triggers you will
have an edge on your competitions and make more sales in the
process.

Here are 7 psychological triggers you can start
using in your sales letter today!

Psychological trigger #1: BE SPECIFIC

It’s important to be as specific as possible. Why! Because
it make your information more believable and credible. For
example: Don’t say that you are in your late twenties, say
that you are 28 years old or 29. Be specific! Don’t be vague!

Psychological trigger #2: CURIOSITY

We are all curious! It’s human nature! So, we need to used
this trigger to attract more peoples to see or read what we
have to offer them. For example: “What is the best way to
attract loyal customers?” Are you not curious to find
out what the answer is!

Psychological trigger #3: REASON WHY

Show your prospects, subscribers or customers why they should
listen to you. Why they should buy what you are offering them.
Is it because of your “no questions ask garantee” or “your
expertise of 20 years on the subject”. Tell them, they want
to know why!

Psychological trigger #4: SCARCITY

It’s kind of funny. We are more driven by the thought of
loosing something then by the thought of gaining something.
That’s why deadlines, limited opportunities, limited production
numbers, etc. will work well. For example: ” Buy before 12:00 am
today and receive a free trip to Mexico…only 2 left…Hurry!

Psychological trigger #5: FEAR

Fear is a powerful trigger. Just look at the news for example.
In the months before Y2K peoples were buying food, water,
caddles lights and lots of other products… just based on fear!
The same thing happen with war… it’s fear that controls most
of our actions.

Psychological trigger #6: ENTHUSIASM

You need to be full of positive energy about what you are doing
or selling to your prospects and clients. Without this energy
you won’t be able to transfer your message effectively. Your
sales letter will look and feel dull with no power.

Psychological trigger #7: TELLING THE TRUTH

Peoples appreciate honesty. Even though sometimes it can be
painful. If you are honest and sincere, peoples will respect
you for it. Peoples always found out eventually about lies.
And when they do, all trust will be gone!

Here you have it, the top 7 Psychological triggers. Use them
in your next sales copy or e-mails and see how it influence
your sales in a positive way!

Check out http://http://www.myinfobiz.net/ezinearticles1.htm
for more informations on how to use psychological triggers to
double or triple your sales!

**Attn Ezine Editors / Site Owners**
Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety
in your ezine or on your site so long as you leave
all links in place, do not modify the content.

=============
Copyright 2004, All Rights Reserved
=============

Carl Cholette is a young entrepreneur, motivational
coach, and syndicated author.
You can now discover the perfect home business solutions!
.We take your prospects calls
.We present your business
.We close your sales
.We send you the checks… you cash them!
Click NOW =====> http://www.myeasysales.net

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CaterSense is Mechline’s range of kitchen environment safety
devices designed for safety management in commercial foodservice
premises. New to the range is Mechline’s Carbon Monoxide and
Carbon Dioxide sensor (CO/CO2 Sensor), designed to interface
with Gas Interlock Systems (G.I.S.). Using unique technology,
the wall-mounted CaterSense CO/CO2 sensor will detect a build up
of CO or CO2 in the commercial kitchen, providing a constant
visual indication of underlying levels of harmful gases. If the
air CO or CO2 content exceeds recommended industry levels, the
battery-powered CaterSense CO/CO2 sensor will pulse a signal to
the G.I.S. and shut off the gas supply to the kitchen while
emitting an audible alarm thus ensuring the safety and well
being of kitchen staff. The CaterSense CO/CO2 sensor can be
installed in conjunction with existing Gas Interlock Systems.
Another brilliant safety device idea that can be used easily and
practically in commercial foodservice.

Exhibiting at Hotelympia, 19-23 Feb 2006, in the North Hall,
Stand: N1919, ExCel Exhibition Centre, London, Mechline will
demonstrate its popular brands and launch new, exciting products
guaranteed to be of interest to the Hotelympia visitor. Also at
the show are Mechline’s familiar brands: QuickLink - patented
quick-disconnect systems AquaJet - WRAS approved pre-rinse spray
units, taps and spare parts CaterTap -WRAS approved basin, sink
and mixer taps ideal for contractual opportunities Pegler - WRAS
approved premier manufacturer of basin, sink, mixer and
specialty taps Dormont - specially engineered gas hoses and gas
hose safety accessories for mobile catering equipment; plus
Dormont SWIRL coiled water hose and Dormont Metric FlexTube for
OEMs Delabie - premium pre-rinse spray units; water-saving,
electronic, hands-free and standard taps; and speciality
plumbing components. Look for new, “hands-free” products in the
range to improve hygiene and good practice in the catering
environment–including revolutionary designs to combat the risk
of spreading the potentially fatal Legionella bacteria. Mo-El -
traditional electric grid designed insect killers, plus
attractive adhesive and fan-assisted models, including the
award-winning Insectivoro Mechline GIS - Mechline’s Gas
Interlock System that cuts off gas flow in the event of kitchen
ventilation fan failure, as recommended by HSE Sheet No. 23 -
Gas Safety in Catering and Hospitality CaterSense - reliable
carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide sensor to work with
Mechline’s GIS for the ultimate in air-quality safety in the
Catering and Hospitality sector GreasePak - ecologically
friendly grease management system

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If you have a website with some traffic, you can make money by having links to merchants’ online shops on your site.

If someone goes through your links into the shop of the merchant, and buys something, you earn commission from the sale, between 5% and 40% depending on type of merchant.

Some merchants also pay for each click or each lead. A lead is a new visitor to the shop that asks for more information or prize offers.

People or companies having these links on their web-sites, are called affiliates, and the links are called affiliate links. The administrative infrastructure by the merchant that the affiliate register into, in order to get the linking code, is called an affiliate program.

To register into an affiliate program is usually free, and through the program you get freely all you need to make the linking code, to monitor the traffic through your links, and to see what commission you have earned.

An affiliate program is not a MLM program, since the affiliates only earn from sales, leads or clicks.

However, in many programs you can recruit other affiliates and earn some commission from the sales made by the recruited affiliates too.

There are also common networks operated by third-part companies where several merchants use a common software and administrative infrastructure to recruit affiliates and monitor the traffic from affiliates. These are called affiliate networks. Both the merchants and potetial affilliates register into the network, and the affiliates can find links to the online shops of hundreds of merchants to use at their web-site. Examples of affiliate networks are Commission Junction and Clixgalore.

From my experience, the best affiliate programs are for merchants selling althernative health items or items for erotic improvements. I also have good experience with programs in the fields skincare, cosmetics and hobby.

What will work best for you, will however depend upon the kind of traffic you have, and the interests of people visiting your site.

Knut Holt

Knut Holt is a freelands IT consultant that also earn from affiliate links at his websites. For more information about affiliate programs, pleace visit this site: http://www.panteraconsulting.com/salg2ka.htm

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