A Writers Life http://angelaneal.com Angela Neal, Freelance Writer Mon, 22 Feb 2010 22:43:06 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 en hourly 1 Children Choking Pediatricians… whatever next?! http://angelaneal.com/2010/02/22/children-choking-pediatricians-whatever-next/ http://angelaneal.com/2010/02/22/children-choking-pediatricians-whatever-next/#comments Mon, 22 Feb 2010 22:43:06 +0000 Angela Neal http://angelaneal.com/2010/02/22/children-choking-pediatricians-whatever-next/
  • Good Author Gone Bad I am one of those people who believes that vindictive...
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    http://news.discovery.com/human/children-choking-pediatricians.html

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    ]]>     http://angelaneal.com/2010/02/22/children-choking-pediatricians-whatever-next/feed/ 0     Linked In Resources http://angelaneal.com/2010/02/20/linked-in-resources/ http://angelaneal.com/2010/02/20/linked-in-resources/#comments Sat, 20 Feb 2010 18:26:00 +0000 Angela Neal http://angelaneal.com/?p=380
  • End of Year Facebook App Wondering how to sum up 2009?  Thinking about what recurring...
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    • ProBlogger is one site that I check regularly for blogging and business advice.  This article covers all of the major issues that I address when optimizing a Linked In account for clients.  Follow these ten steps and you will be surprised at how quickly your groups of contacts grows.

      http://www.problogger.net/archives/2010/02/18/top-10-ways-to-drive-traffic-to-your-blog-using-linkedin/

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    ]]>     http://angelaneal.com/2010/02/20/linked-in-resources/feed/ 0     Useful Twitter Info http://angelaneal.com/2010/02/20/useful-twitter-info/ http://angelaneal.com/2010/02/20/useful-twitter-info/#comments Sat, 20 Feb 2010 18:21:53 +0000 Angela Neal http://angelaneal.com/?p=378
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    • TwiTip has tons of great info, but this article is a good place to start.  A comprehensive overview of the top things to consider to create an effective Twitter campaign.

      http://www.twitip.com/7-tips-for-effective-marketing-with-twitter/

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    ]]>     http://angelaneal.com/2010/02/20/useful-twitter-info/feed/ 0     Spread a little love this Valentine’s Day http://angelaneal.com/2010/02/10/spread-a-little-love-this-valentines-day/ http://angelaneal.com/2010/02/10/spread-a-little-love-this-valentines-day/#comments Wed, 10 Feb 2010 13:30:13 +0000 Angela Neal http://angelaneal.com/?p=365 Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.]]> There is little I can add to this great post by musician and activist Jason Mraz, so I’ll just resort to good old copy/paste and hope that enough of us agree to skip the flowers and chocolates, tell our loved ones what they mean to us and make a difference in a very real way this year.

    Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. In my opinion, people have attached themselves to this holiday in a way that makes single people sad, those in relationships nervous, and those in marriage pressured. No matter what your status, I invite you to give love in a powerful, new way this year.

    On Tuesday, January 12th, 2010, the peninsula nation of Haiti was devastated by the worst Earthquake to hit the world in generations. Hundreds of thousands are dead and Millions are displaced. They are only one hour off the shores of our mighty country and they need our support more than ever.

    This Valentine’s Season I invite you to take action as a world citizen and contribute to our less fortunate neighbors. Here are a few ways to do so:

    Donate Over the Web:

    Free The Children – “Children Helping Children Through Education.” Having been working in Haiti for more than a decade they were fast to respond. Their primary objective is making sure children are safe, sourced, and have a future to look forward to. (This organization was founded by a 12 year old by the way. Of all the groups I’ve met and worked with – these guys move me like no other. They are my inspiration for being in action.) Please give generously.

    http://www.freethechildren.com/haiti

    InterAction is the largest coalition of U.S.-based international, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) focused on the world’s poor and most vulnerable people. Collectively, InterAction’s more than 180 members work in every developing country. Member organizations are large and small, faith-based and secular. They have a special link for Haiti.

    http://www.interaction.org/crisis-list/earthquake-haiti

    Google is also maintaining a page with information on what you can do to help. This is trusted source for reputable organizations you can contribute to such as the International Red Cross, UNICEF, and Doctors Without Borders.

    http://www.google.com/relief/haitiearthquake/

    Donate by Text Message

    Yele Haiti – The Non-Profit, created by Haitian born recording artist Wyclef Jean (who I had the pleasure of meeting at “We Are The World”) is accepting $5 donations when you text “Yele” to 501501 or $10 donations when you text “Haiti” to the same number. Charges will appear on your cell phone bill.

    Or Donate with a Phone Call:

    You can make a phone call and donate to any number of organizations presently bringing relief to Haiti. Here are a few:

    American Red Cross: 800 RED CROSS

    Americares: 800 486 4357

    International Rescue Committee: 877 REFUGEE

    UNICEF U.S. Fund: 800 4 UNICEF

    Habitat for Humanity International: 800 422 4828

    Oxfam America: 800 776 9326

    International Medical Corps: 800 481 4462

    Don’t put this off. A gift today would create so much possibility for the many lives waiting for a miracle. This is your opportunity to be such a miracle. Thanks for considering, Jason

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    ]]>     http://angelaneal.com/2010/02/10/spread-a-little-love-this-valentines-day/feed/ 0     Can you be too professional? http://angelaneal.com/2010/02/05/can-you-be-too-professional/ http://angelaneal.com/2010/02/05/can-you-be-too-professional/#comments Fri, 05 Feb 2010 13:29:48 +0000 Angela Neal http://angelaneal.com/?p=353 Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.]]> My answer, dear people, is yes.  Not just because we are now all so wired into each other’s minute social movements via texts, tweets and status updates, but because we have always done business with people who we like, and trust.

    Whether it makes strict business sense or not, if you take proposals from two people and one of them happens to mention that they are also a fan of your favourite sports team, or tells a joke that makes you laugh, or shares a personal experience that you can relate to, you are more likely to want to work with them than the guy who came in a did a blinding presentation without revealing an ounce of the personality that makes him tick.

    So the next time you pitch for a job, let a chink of your personality shine through.

    I keep a very tight roster of clients.  I am pretty selective about who I work with, and I have to both like and respect them in order to continue to do my best work for them.  This philosophy may not make me a millionaire, but it does makes me someone who is happy to go to work each day.

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    ]]>     http://angelaneal.com/2010/02/05/can-you-be-too-professional/feed/ 0     Coming Soon http://angelaneal.com/2010/01/10/coming-soon/ http://angelaneal.com/2010/01/10/coming-soon/#comments Sun, 10 Jan 2010 14:00:58 +0000 Angela Neal http://angelaneal.com/?p=370 Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.]]> I am putting together a section of guides, references and links for writers, jewelers and small business owners.  Bear with me while I get my haystack of bookmarks and notes into order for you. :)

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    ]]>     http://angelaneal.com/2010/01/10/coming-soon/feed/ 0     End of Year Facebook App http://angelaneal.com/2009/12/31/end-of-year-facebook-app/ http://angelaneal.com/2009/12/31/end-of-year-facebook-app/#comments Thu, 31 Dec 2009 13:31:36 +0000 Angela Neal http://angelaneal.com/?p=342
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    • Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.]]>     Wondering how to sum up 2009?  Thinking about what recurring themes you would like to change for a better 2010?  There is a pretty cool little app doing the rounds on Facebook at the moment that will create a pretty little collage made up from some of your random updates from 2009.  Pick a layout, choose a title, and away you go.

    You might be surprised to see the results.   One of my resolutions for 2010 is to work more, yet most of my tweets indicate that I was working too much through 2009, so perhaps resolving to find a better work-life balance is in order!

    Visit the  Year in Status Updates app now.

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    ]]>     http://angelaneal.com/2009/12/31/end-of-year-facebook-app/feed/ 0     Funny Forwards for Geeks 1 – What Not to Name Your Website http://angelaneal.com/2009/12/30/funny-forwards-for-geeks-1-what-not-to-name-your-website/ http://angelaneal.com/2009/12/30/funny-forwards-for-geeks-1-what-not-to-name-your-website/#comments Wed, 30 Dec 2009 11:46:59 +0000 Angela Neal http://angelaneal.com/2009/12/30/funny-forwards-for-geeks-1-what-not-to-name-your-website/
  • Friday Fun Website: My Cat Looks Like Hitler I never ceased to be amazed, baffled and humored by...
    • Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.]]>     I hate forwards as much as the next online warrior battling through their overwhelming inbox each day, but every once in a while someone sends me one that appeals to the geek in me. Sadly, few of my friends other than the one who originally sent it to me would appreciate the humour, so I have decided to start archiving them here in the hopes of passing round a giggle and forehead slap or two.

    So here is #1.

    All of these are legitimate companies that didn’t spend quite enough time to consider how their online name might appear!

    These are not made up.
    Check them out yourself!

    1. ‘Who Represents’ is where you can find the name of the agent that represents any celebrity. Their Web site is:www.whorepresents.com

    2. ‘Experts Exchange’ is a knowledge base where programmers can exchange advice and views at:
    www.expertsexchange.com

    3. Looking for a great pen? Look no further than
    ‘ Pen Island ‘. It can be found at:
    www.penisland.net

    4. Need a therapist? Try ‘Therapist Finder’at: www.therapistfinder.com

    5. Then there’s the ‘Italian Power Generator’ company. Check it out at:
    www.powergenitalia.com

    6.’IP computer’ software, there’s always:www.ip_anywhere.com

    7. And the designers at ‘Speed of Art’ await you at their wacky Web site:
    www.speedofart.com

    Have a fun day! Just be careful what you name YOUR new web site

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    ]]>     http://angelaneal.com/2009/12/30/funny-forwards-for-geeks-1-what-not-to-name-your-website/feed/ 0     Happy Holiday Fun http://angelaneal.com/2009/12/24/happy-holiday-fun/ http://angelaneal.com/2009/12/24/happy-holiday-fun/#comments Thu, 24 Dec 2009 14:17:57 +0000 Angela Neal http://angelaneal.com/?p=344 Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.]]> I pretty much wound down during the last couple of months of 2009 after a hectic few years, and have to say that it has left me refreshed and ready to go for the new year. So I stand by the idea that sometimes freelancers need to kick back and unwind in order to maintain a steady level of creativity and productivity. So here, to keep you amused during downtime over the festive period is their list of Top 21 Fun Distractions for Freelancers.

    Happy Holidays!  :)

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    ]]>     http://angelaneal.com/2009/12/24/happy-holiday-fun/feed/ 0     Is this the start of a new wave of Cyber Terrorism? http://angelaneal.com/2009/12/18/is-this-the-start-of-a-new-wave-of-cyber-terrorism/ http://angelaneal.com/2009/12/18/is-this-the-start-of-a-new-wave-of-cyber-terrorism/#comments Fri, 18 Dec 2009 13:30:51 +0000 Angela Neal http://angelaneal.com/?p=340
  • Do you really need a blog? Maybe not. It’s a question that I get asked frequently during consultations...
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    This kind of total shut down of one of the most popular sites in existence is more than worrying.  While the hack may seem benign enough, it certainly leaves a lingering bad taste.  If the attach was indeed carried out by a political activist group they have some serious intelligence and technical firepower in their arsenal, and in this day and age, any vulnerability on the internet could be exploited to disrupt and damage public, professional and political communications.

    Social media site are tempting targets for hackers for obvious reasons, and especially for anyone with a message to get across.  Who wouldn’t like to splash their slogan to 325 million people in one go?

    I, for one, am slightly unnerved.

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