How to do Reflective Writing: Critical Thinking Versus Reflective Thinking

Reflective writing is an art, but also a unique gift accorded to some freelance writers. How to do reflective writing comes naturally to them because of how they are able to think and translate their thoughts into their written works.    

The article entitled “Reflective Writing” differentiates between two kinds of thinking in our thought processes, critical thinking and reflective thinking and suggests they are connected. 

http://www.lc.unsw.edu.au/onlib/pdf/reflective.pdf

Knowledge based on critical thought differs from experiential knowledge rooted in reflective thought.

How to do reflective writing is individualistic, because no two people have the same, experiential thought processes or exactly the same writing abilities in terms of self-expression. No one can tell another person the best way to do reflective writing and expect the same results.   

Reflective writing in relation to experiential thought processes, real or imagined, is personal and subjective. It is in-depth thought reflecting upon personal observation, previous knowledge and may lead to further inquiry.     

For example, “As I stood beside the placid lake, I could see a perfectly mirrored image of an old, decrepit log cabin, now a relic of historical merit. A lengthy, gray shadow in among the tree branches, created a double image, the first, that of a man lovingly embracing a grieving, young woman and then, that of an older woman, probably my grandmother, who had become a miner’s widow. The imagery stirred up fleeting memories of numerous, old mineral rights documents of the past that originally belonged to my grandfather. Yellowed and torn now, to miners of his era, these documents had signified their right to extract gold from that mine. Rights always came at a cost….in this case the life of my grandfather. Were they still valid, I wondered, as I headed back into reality’s world of placid waters.”  

Creative writing is the heart of reflective writing. By allowing one’s creative energies to flow, it helps to break the reflective writer free from the limitations of critical thought processes.     

To do reflective writing, this article suggests mind-mapping techniques, not unlike brainstorming where every possible idea is written down. With mind mapping, the thoughts and ideas can be mapped or linked together to form pathways that lead to the formation of a creative whole. Feelings and perceptions come alive. Meaning and significance can be arbitrarily assigned in accordance with the preference of a reflective writer.

Mind play allows room for frivolity, fantasy or even sinister thoughts, allowing the reflective writer to delve deeper into the experiential realm. The possibilities are infinite. Perhaps the key to how to do reflective writing lies in the innate desire of the reflective writer for self-expression. A true reflective writer cannot help but write and will write until that desire is satiated.     

  

How to Achieve Immediate Success as an Entrepreneurial Freelance Writer: See Yourself as Being Successful

Immediate success is every entrepreneurial freelance writer’s dream. 

“Is it possible?” you may ask. "Is it in the stars?" 

How to achieve immediate success is a question that every entrepreneur asks him or herself, knowing that there are many individuals who demonstrate immediate success as entrepreneurs. How success is measured can vary from individual to individual.  

“The true harvest of my life is intangible – a little star dust caught; a portion of the rainbow I have clutched.” Henry David Thoreau

Consider the following guidelines with respect to how to achieve immediate success as an entrepreneurial freelance writer:  

Become increasingly proactive in terms of your entrepreneurial freelance writing passion.

A proactive, entrepreneurial freelance writer following his or her passion, is far more likely to achieve success than someone who is laid back or inactive. A freelance writer can write about anything, anywhere and at any time. The most important thing is that he or she makes a serious effort to write and channels his or her passion in a positive, constructive direction that appeals to readers. Learn how to write about your passion, passionately. 

Watch for new Internet-based freelance writing opportunities.

For ambitious, entrepreneurial freelance writers, new Internet-based opportunities abound, but it may take time to find them. In other words, where there are leads, follow them. Make serious inquiries in terms of the publication of your work. Opportunities do not usually come to someone who simply waits for them, but rather they lie in wait of discovery by entrepreneurs. You may have to put serious effort into finding them. Go after them.

Establish a growing network of serious freelance writers.

Establishing a network and continually building positive relationships with other serious freelance writers has distinct advantages. Many freelance writers are aware of opportunities that you may never discover unless you are in contact with them. They may not want to act upon specific leads, but those same leads may be exactly what you are looking for. Act on them.

See yourself as a successful entrepreneurial freelance writer.

Seeing yourself as a successful entrepreneurial freelance writer is important because the way you portray your own image is the way that others will see you. That is how they will respond to you and your entrepreneurial projects. If you are writing and publishing, you are successful. Continue to expand your writing horizons with new thoughts and ideas and your success will multiply.

Discover what success signifies to you.

Take some time and make a note of what success signifies to you in your freelance writing and entrepreneurship. Success is measurable in many different ways, only some of which are monetary. You can measure success in terms of project accomplishment, self-respect based upon ethical principles, compassion or a new vision for the future, as well as many other ways. If it is only money you are interested in, pursue it, but you may be sorely disappointed.

Channel your energies and efforts in the direction of your passions and you will achieve immediate success as an entrepreneurial freelance writer.

How to Project an Authentic Writer's Voice: The Importancve of Authenticity and Credibility

Being able to project an authentic writer’s voice is important for an entrepreneurial, freelance writer. A reader should be able to recognize the fact that the person speaking in a written work, is a specific writer.

What is vital in terms of surviving as a writer is the writer’s authenticity or credibility. It is a primary factor with respect to what influences readers in terms of their continuing readership.  

The article “Authentic Voice” suggests,

“When you read first – rate writing, you feel the presence of the writer. The Writer’s Character and sense of self permeate the writing and project authenticity. This writer, you think knows what he’s talking about and means what he says; you feel that only this particular writer could have written that particular piece – it is stamped with his personality. You are drawn in to this writer’s world and engage with it.” (http://www.english-for-students.com/Authentic-Voice.html)

According to dictionary.com, the word authentic means “not false or copied; genuine”, “having the origin supported by unquestionable evidence”, “entitled to acceptance or belief because of agreement with known facts or experience” or in terms of law, “executed with all due formalities”. It also has other implications in terms of music.

In other words, an authentic writer’s voice rings true in terms of its credibility and protects the writer's self or ego in terms of projection.

The word projection within its literary context is a “means of ego-defense in which the subject attributes its own unconscious motives and ideas to objects outside of itself.”

A writer’s voice speaks (or projects his or her voice) in terms literary projection, with thoughts and ideas that the reader confronts and consciously or unconsciously judges, in terms of their credibility. How can the authenticity of the written work or the author’s credibility be established and sustained?

Consider the following guidelines:

Contextual accuracy and consistency:

Contextual accuracy and consistency are vital to the credibility and authenticity of a writer’s work. The context of an article should remain accurate, consistent and relevant throughout the article. Literary inaccuracies and contextual inconsistencies or bouncing back and forth, causes readers to question a writer’s authenticity.      

Chronological accuracy:

Chronological accuracy places an article in a specific era. Throughout an article, unless the writer is into creative, time-related fiction, what he or she writes should not change from one era or time zone, to another. For the reader, chronological inaccuracies can cause frustration. Eventually, the reader gives up realizing that something is not right and questions the authenticity or credibility of the writer.     

Appropriate choice of words and phrases:

The appropriate choice of words and phrases in an article authenticates and lends credibility to a writer. Accurate spelling and correct grammar usage are important and lend credibility whille at the same time, increasing the writer’s authenticity. Search engine optimization (SEO) helps a writer to remain true to his or her own voice, as well as avoid loss of credibility or authenticity in his or her work.  

Accurate, verifiable research:

Quoting accurate, verifiable research in an article gives it, as well as the writer, increased credibility and authenticity. Note that research sources should be documented and verifiable. Including appropriate Internet links will increase the credibility of the article, as well as help to verify the authenticity of the writer. Plagiarism will affect the authenticity and credibility of the article and the writer in an adverse manner.      

Success as a writer depends upon a writer’s authenticity and credibility. Readers know when a writer is straying from his or her own voice and may fall away in disappointment. Authentic writers with consistent credible works that accurately reflect the writer’s voice, succeed.

How to Encourage Boys to Write: Turn Writing into Play

When we think about boys of all ages, we do not usually associate them with having advanced writing skills. In fact, writing seems to be more of a sissified, girlish thing to many of them. At the same time, literacy is equally important for boys and girls.

The question becomes how to encourage boys to write.

The article entitled “Seven great ways to encourage kid’s writing” suggests turning writing into play, particularly play that includes parents. How boys love to play! 

"The child can never learn to play without the parent playing with the child. Play … is a huge creative potential built within the child, which never develops unless it is stimulated by the adult model, the parent."

Consider the following suggestions:

Writing, like reading, is not gender specific. In fact, writing is anything but gender specific. Boys often, but not always, enjoy writing about the same kinds of things that girls do. Many boys become excellent writers when given the incentive to write.

In other words, some boys are natural born, ardent writers, who can barely wait to pen down whatever is important to them. Others may not enjoy writing or even dread having to write. Helping them learn how to write properly is important.

Encouraging boys to write regularly is a good idea. Learning how to keep a blog or a journal about their lives may prove beneficial. If they can write about whatever else interests them, it may encourage boys to write daily. It may also prove helpful to have them read what they have written to someone else including teachers, parents, peers or children.

Reading and writing go hand in hand. Finding out what boys like to read will often encourage them in terms of developing their writing skills further.

For example, many boys are sports-oriented, love animals, science fiction or other topics like outer space. When what they read becomes an adventure that excites them, it is a good time to challenge them to write. Even young boys can write excellent short stories or even poetry. Fact or fiction does not really matter.  

Avoiding unnecessary criticism with respect to what boys write is important, as they can prove to be equally sensitive when it comes to having their writing criticized by others. Some boys are more sensitive than girls are, when others read their work. There are times when the best way a boy can express his thoughts and feelings is through writing, but he may be embarrassed or reluctant to show what he has written to anyone else.

Parents who write on a regular basis, can set a good example for boys. 

For example, a young boy who sees his father and grandfather writing regularly is likely to write too, as he tries to follow their footsteps. Some boys write because their mothers, grandmothers or other family members do. The significant other in a boy’s life often leads and encourages him to do things that he may not want to do, or even try, otherwise. Other role models of male writers often give boys the incentive to write.

Writing should be fun for boys, but not all boys find writing skills come easily to them. Many of them are behind girls developmentally. Being gangly, uncoordinated or awkward, etc. can make it difficult for boys of all ages to write. At times, practice and more practice can bring about remarkable improvement in writing.

Boys who have difficulty writing often benefit from having a good dictionary and a thesaurus. The continual introduction of new words, including spelling and grammar is important, but boys may not excel in these areas at school.

Writing skills improve with time and effort, positive reinforcement and encouragement from others. Rejection of a boy’s writing may cause him to be reluctant to write, especially when rejection comes from someone important to him.            

The question of how to turn writing into fun for boys is something that teachers and parents alike often ponder. Computer programs and games of various kinds can be fun and prove beneficial in terms of encouraging boys to write well. Writing things that are fun can make writing seem more like play, while it enhances a boy’s learning curve, at the same time. A mentor who enjoys writing may offer encouragement to boys.

Rewards for writing well are good incentives. Boys that learn how to write well when they are young usually excel at school and often go on to amazing careers where the ability to write matters, so encouraging boys to write is important.   

Tips For Connecting With Your Interviewers: How to Connect With Employment Interviewers

Regardless of the kind of employment you are seeking, one of the most important aspects of your job search is that of connecting with your interviewers. If you can connect appropriately with those who interview you, there is a high likelihood that they will hire you. If not, you may be wasting your time and energy.

Interviewers, whether they are employers or managers, seek to hire future employees with whom they can relate in a positive, constructive and proactive manner.

The article, “Top 10 Interview Tips” offers helpful ideas suggesting,

“Here are tips on how to research a company, get the inside scoop on the company culture, and use connections who can help you get an interview advantage.”

Consider these following tips as well, for connecting with your interviewers:

Dress appropriately for the employment interview, as first impressions are always important. Make certain that you are clean, well dressed and have a professional appearance and comportment.    

Be on time, as this will be an important factor in hiring. Interviewers do not hire potential employees who show up late, as this may happen repeatedly if they hire them.  

Make certain that you have brought a resume with appropriate references regarding previous employment, as well as an up-to-date record of your previous employment. Did you remember to bring an extra copy of your resume? The resume you sent in may have been lost among a collection of other resumes.

Greet your interviewers appropriately. Be polite, soft-spoken and use good manners. Address your interviewers with their correct names and titles throughout the interview.

Make eye contact with your interviewers. When you look your interviewers directly in the eye, they will recognize you are serious about the position for which you are applying. If you hang your head while you talk to them, they will wonder what your problem is or if you are being honest with them.

Confirm your potential employment information, so that you know exactly what your new position will entail. Do you know what your potential employer’s expectations of you will be as a prospective employee? You can request to have your job description confirmed.

Maintain good posture throughout your interview. Slouching suggests that you may be too tired to work or you are too lazy to sit up properly.

Ask appropriate questions if you need more information about your potential position or clarification of your job description. There may be things that you are still not certain about with respect to the job for which you are applying. Stay on topic, as it is easy to drift into other conversational topics that may not be appropriate for this kind of an interview.

Recognize when your interview is over. Your interviewer may have other candidates to interview. If you insist on staying and talking, you may talk yourself out of a job.

Thank your interviewers for their time and effort on your behalf. Be aware that you may have to return for a second or even a third interview, but do not hesitate to do so, because if the employer was not interested in hiring you, you would not be invited back.

Connecting with your interviewers happens in many different ways, so be alert, aware and pleasant throughout your interview. You will be glad that you did connect with them properly, when they hire you.       

Why Should You Create a Long Term Career Plan: How to Decide Upon Your New, Long Term Career Plan

Why you should create a long-term career plan has to do with what you will be doing in the future. In other words, what do you want to do with your time and talents, for the rest of your life?  

Creating a long-term career plan entails setting positive, constructive and pro-active goals. Defining your personal goals can appear problematic, particularly if you are uncertain about the kind of a long-term career you would like to pursue. You may already have set some short-term goals that you can expand upon.

The article, “Choosing the right career path for long-term job stability” concerns the predictability of job growth and suggests looking at “careers that are predicted to be in high demand over the next several years.”

There are other factors for you to consider when creating a long-term career plan.

What kind of a career would you like to have?

Your prospective long-term career is yours, not that of someone else, so the decision-making process about a long-term career goal is your task, not that of your parents, teachers, peers or friends. No one can map out your career or future for you, although there may be those who can give you some good ideas or suggestions about long-term career planning.    

What are your main interests?

Long-term career planning becomes easier and more realistic when you start to consider your personal interests. If you are seriously excited about something, your motivation level is likely to be higher than if you are not interested. Begin to visualize or picture yourself doing something that you love to do, for the rest of your life. When you do, it becomes more than just work.   

Consider your long-term career options.

Depending upon where you are academically, you may have any number of viable long-term career options. At times, talking to an academic counselor about directives for further, academic studies can prove beneficial with respect to career choices.  Your adviser may be able to advise you in regard to potential income levels that will become increasingly important to you.

Associate with realistic role models.

Association with realistic role models like parents, teachers or others pursuing specific long-term careers, can make the decision-making process easier. (At the same time, be aware that not every role model is happy in terms of his or her career choice, as long-term career choices have been limited to some extent, over the years.) Finding a role model who is excited about his or her work and spending quality time together, will help you to decide whether this is a viable option for you.

Are there potential, new horizons in terms of long-term career choices for you?

Being resilient or open to transition is important in terms of long-term, career choices. Changes take place in terms of long-term careers and what may seem perfect for you now, could be different ten or twenty years down the road.     

Remember that your long-term career choice can be the most important decision of your life, so make your long-term career choice wisely.

Using Effective Key Words For More Views: Search Engine Optimization, Key Words and Increased Viewers

Search engine optimization (SEO) is the Internet key to using effective words for more views. In more simple terms, your use of key words and phrases helps draw or attract viewers to your website or web page..

What is search engine optimization?

The article, “Introduction – What Is SEO?” suggests that search engine optimization is a “web marketing technique”.

Ideally, if viewers are attracted by the appropriate use of key words and phrases, your website can potentially sell itself or the content on your web page.  

“SEO is a technique which helps search engines find and rank your site higher than the millions of other sites in response to a search query. SEO helps you get traffic from search engines.”

Viewers tend to go directly to search engines when they want information on different topics. They will find numerous links. What does this mean for you? Your viewers are no longer limited to just your family and friends. The potential number of viewers becomes unlimited.

“Keywords are the most important SEO element for every search engine; they are what search strings are matched against.”

How does a search engine work? 

Remember that it is key words and phrases that are important as “search engines crawl the Web, looking at particular site items (mainly text) to get an idea what a site is about.”

Your website, web page content or information stands in a direct relationship to all other information or content on the Internet. Whether or not others find it depends to some extent upon the power of the key words and phrases that you use, as the web site or web page designer.   

“A piece of software, called a crawler or a spider”, (not a human being), is unique in that it is designed to “follow links from one page to another”.

“Indexing” helps potential web site viewers to locate appropriate links with the use of key words and phrases.

Some key words and phrases are more powerful or have more strength in terms of search engine optimization. Careful usage of these will result in more views per website or web page. This is also true in terms of key words and phrases in articles.

While there are no guarantees of success in terms of creating or developing websites or web pages, increasing the likelihood of success via search engine optimization is important for you as a web master or web designer. This is also important in terms of publishing freelance articles on a writer’s platform.

Experimenting or browsing with different search engines can help a new website or web page manager, as well as a freelance writer, to understand the value of appropriate search engine optimization in terms of obtaining more views. Monetarily, this can become unlimited pay per click.

The question a website or web page manager, as well as a freelance writer might ask, is what key words or key phrases a potential viewer or reader would use to find what he or she is looking for on the Internet. Ideally, these words are in the headings or title of websites or web pages. Repetition of the key words and phrases in the articles or the body or content of an article increases the likelihood of viewing.   

Success on the Internet has a direct relationship to search engine optimization and using effective keywords for more views.