The most endearing Mother’s Day gifts are those with a personal and sentimental touch. Here are 22 unusual and inexpensive ways to celebrate mom on her special day:

Achievement Charm Bracelet. Did she win the bowling championship or graduate from an art class? Look for charms specific to her accomplishments over the past year. Consider a traditional charm bracelet (with dangling charms) or an Italian style bracelet, in which the charms link together.

Sentimental Jewelry. Here are more ideas for creating a connection with jewelry: give her a locket with tiny photos of each of you or a mother’s ring or necklace with the birthstones of each of her children or grandchildren.

Flowers. This time of year, floral delivery services create gorgeous arrangements for moms. Select a bouquet in a beautiful food-safe pitcher or bowl that she can use again and again.

Classic Movies. Give her a set of her favorite digitally remastered nostalgic classic movies on DVD. Place them in a pretty porcelain bowl with some popcorn and a box of her favorite candy. Add a luxury throw blanket so she can cozy up under the covers to watch the show.

Chocolate and Books. Give her a few hardcovers by her favorite author and some quality chocolate.

Comedy Show. Take her to dinner and a local comedy show.

Donations. Make a donation in her name to her favorite charitable cause.

Spa Gift Certificates. Either choose the spa treatment for her, or allow her to choose her own indulgence Better yet, go with her and enjoy some pampering alongside her.

Hot Air Balloon Ride. Take an exhilarating adventure with her up in the air and get a bird’s eye view of your city or town.

A Lobster Dinner Boat Ride. If you live near the ocean or the great lakes, check areas near you that offer quaint, evening excursions complete with fresh seafood entrees.

Maid Service. Give her a break from housecleaning and hire a professional maid service for a day, week or month.

Monogrammed Leather Passport Carry Case. With the new passport travel requirements, this is one gift that is sure to come in handy.

Oil Change and Tune Up. Surprise her with a complete vehicle maintenance gift certificate. If possible, find a location that will rotate the tires as well. Include wash and wax for an added bonus.

Monthly Gift Clubs. Let mom know you are thinking of her the whole year through with a thoughtful monthly gift club. Typically, you can subscribe for 3, 6, 9, or 12 months, and a new gift is sent at the same time each month. There are monthly gift clubs for scrapbookers, gardeners, chocaholics, you name it.

Gardening Goodies. Mother’s Day heralds a new year of working in the garden. Fill a brightly colored watering can or metal bucket with treasures for her time in the garden, from seed packets to new suede monogrammed gardening gloves.

Picnic on the Beach. It may be too cool for swimming and sun-bathing but everyone enjoys an old-fashioned picnic lunch in the beautiful outdoors complete with red checkered table cloth.

Recipe Books. If Mom loves to cook, look for unique and creative recipe books to add to her collection.

Satin Robe and Slipper Set. The nights are getting warmer. Give her the luxurious feel of satin.

Security System Keychain. Look for a keychain with features she’ll use, such as those that turn on and off her lights and arm and disarm her home security system.

Website or Blog. Set up a website or blog for her to keep family members updated and to share digital photos.

Photo Keepsakes. Lots of photo processing websites offer a variety of items that you can add simple photos to: everything from purses to keychains and coasters to jewelry boxes.

Photo Books. You don’t have to be a scrapbooking expert to create beautiful photo books. Scrapbooking has become so popular that many of the leading online photo websites have templates that allow you to plug your photos and sentiments directly into beautifully pre-arranged backgrounds. Then you can order a print copy of the photo book for the recipient. The best thing about this type of scrapbook: you can order a duplicate copy for yourself, and even more for grandparents and friends. These are surprisingly affordable and easy to create, and they make a memento mom will treasure for years to come.

Jamie Jefferson writes for Momscape.com and Susies-Coupons.com
For more specific Mother’s Day gift ideas, including coupon codes and special prices on some of the gift ideas in this article, see her article: Unique Mother’s Day Gift Ideas.

Ist means is, while Gut means good.

Milch is milk and Kaffee is coffee.

Here’s another one. Bett is bed and Braun is brown.

Do these words have almost the same spelling? Yes they do. Although different in pronunciation, the German and English languages came from the same language lineage. There are words which have translation from German to English and some words have not even been translated at all. These words are still used today by English speaking people around the world.

This just proves that the idea of learning the German language is possible. Even the idea of memorizing the complete language can happen no matter what age you are right now. You read it right; you can learn the German language anytime. Children are not the only ones who can learn and memorize a completely strange language. Although it may not be entirely too easy for adults to learn compared to children, the brain works completely the same.

Online sources for learning different languages are popular nowadays but you don’t want to spend your money on inaccurate software learning programs issued today by many language-learning websites. Before you join the club of learning German enthusiasts, get as many information as you can regarding the software program.

Another reason why learning German is easy it’s because in memorization, different methods can be used. You can use a CD to learn German lessons while you jog or cook dinner. You may also watch German movies and listen to the dialogue and take down notes of the words you don’t understand. But of course, in learning your main lessons, you can memorize the words easily by linking the words together in one image or situation.

A man rises up early every morning. His dog wakes him up everyday and to return the favor, he gives his dog spinach bone as he tells the dog to “spin it” to give the dog an idea that the treat is for him. Did you spot the words? In the example given above, we used the word spinach from the English language and linked it within the same situation to the German word Spinat by putting in the phrase “spin it” for easier recognition. Go ahead, try another one, pick a word and picture them in one idea. You’ll see how easy for you to remember it.

Shareen Aguilar is a writer for http://learn-german-program.com which has Memory Improvement Books and Memory Game Software for better German language memorization.

Would it really shock you if I said that our US government could be doing a better job of managing our funds and performing various functions? Fema’s (the Federal Emergency Management Agency) handling of the Katrina Hurricane disaster is just one example of how it is completely inept when it comes to unexpected events. It also filters down to a local level as well. Funds that were meant to be used to reinforce the levies before Katrina were spent on the casinos. Then the hurricane came and Fema passed out credit cards and money to everyone, victim or not as a gesture of good will, if not stupidity. They also brought in hundreds of mobile homes that were never used. Add to that 40 million dollars worth of pre-made meals that are never distributed and you get the picture. New Orleans is still a disaster zone in many ways, with no thanks to our federal officials. But what did you expect?

This is nothing new. After we invaded Iraq, bags of actual cash were given to Iraqis to the tune of 12 billion (that’s with a “b”) dollars to help jumpstart the economy, or so the advisors in charge at the time, told us. The fact that they didn’t keep a single record of who got the money and how it was used was the focus of congressional hearings. Their excuse was that they thought it was the best thing to do at the time. Whether it went to the terrorists or not was immaterial; it went somewhere in Iraq and that was the intent Somehow it would help jump-start the economy and provide a better life for them. How did that work out, you may ask? Don’t ask. Our tax dollars at work.

Another unsuccessful agency is the US Postal Service. It’s been losing money for decades, in spite of rising postal rates. It seems rather odd that FedEx, UPS, and DHL can make tons of profits but the government’s delivery service cannot. Does that tells us something? Even with those two cent increases, mail delivery is still relatively slow and mail is continually being lost or sent astray. Manual labor remains the dominant force in an industry that should be close to being processes via total automation by now.

But there must be some agency that is the most efficient when it comes to managing our money. How about the military which still gives out contracts for ships and tanks that don’t work or meet standards? Oops. Only later we discover the flaws that deem them unusable. They still over pay for simple tools like hammers and drills that could be bought at Home Depot for a tenth of the cost. Our congress people take more breaks than our kids, for every holiday and the summer. Why? Because they’re so overworked? Yet they can serve a single term and get a pension and health benefits for life. Can you work for your company for only four years and get a retirement package?

The IRS is a lousy department. Try calling their hotline for a tax question. One recent poll stated that well over three-quarters of their advice was wrong. And that was for a basic question. Our tax code is obviously way to complicated, but is that the government’s fault? Well of course it is. They wrote it! Anyway, it’s another example of a bureaucratic mess.

It’s not that the government does everything wrong. The military has advanced weaponry and replaces them as needed. They supply the armed forces with whatever is required and spend money without equal. They also offer veteran benefits like low-cost mortgages and small business loans to companies. They print our money, albeit not always perfectly and maintain the Federal Reserve. If the head of that department could just keep his mouth shut once in a while, the stock market wouldn’t go crazy like it does. But I’m supposed to be touching on their good virtues at this point. So, what gives?

Don’t get me wrong. I was born here, love the free-enterprise system and the liberties I’m afforded in America. I just hate the waste and misspending of our taxes. Besides the 100 billion going to Iraq each year, I would prefer to see that much stay here go to our people at home that could use it. Seniors under Medicare, education, equitable tax rates, cancer research, and too many others to mention. We deserve a bit better use of our money and should get a better return. Remember that you can’t spell USA without us.

Jeffrey Hauser was a sales consultant for the Bell System Yellow Pages for nearly 25 years.
He graduated from Pratt Institute with a BFA in Advertising and has a Master’s Degree in teaching. He had his own advertising agency in Scottsdale, Arizona and ran a consulting and design firm, ABC Advertising. He has authored 6 books and a novel, “Pursuit of the
Phoenix.” His latest book is, “Inside the Yellow Pages” which can be seen at his website, http://www.poweradbook.com Currently, he is the Marketing Director for http://www.thenurseschoice.com a Health Information and Doctor Referral site.

An oil painting support is any surface that oil paint can be applied to. There are a variety of different surfaces that artists use to paint on. Everything from certain woods, canvas, and even metals can serve as supports for oil paint. This article will introduce you to those various supports and hopefully help you decide which support is best for your style of oil painting.

LINEN

Linen is made from the fibers of the flax plant. The plants are harvested and then left to soak in water until the outside of the plant rots away leaving the fibers underneath. The fibers are then processed into yarns or threads which are then woven into canvas. The fibers of the flax plant are long and quite strong and make for a very interesting and durable painting support. Paintings executed on this surface have withstood the test of time. It is for this reason that linen canvas is a favorite amongst professional oil painters. Unfortunately linen canvas is rather expensive and may not be the best option for beginners. If you are interested in learning more about linen canvas, check your local art store or go online and do a search. There are a variety of different linen canvases available, from rolled canvas to pre-stretched. It comes primed for acrylic and oils, or you can get it unprimed as well.

COTTON

Cotton canvas is the most popular support for beginner oil painters. It is a relatively strong material and much cheaper than linen. It has a very even and mechanical weave. There is a big debate going on in the art world over which is the better painting support, linen or canvas? What support will last longer? This is really a matter of personal opinion and taste. I know many artists, including myself, who use cotton canvas exclusively. Other artists swear by linen. If the surface is sized correctly, then your painting will be well protected from rot and will last a long time. So when deciding between linen or cotton, I feel your decision should be based on how you enjoy working with the material itself and not whether or not it will be around in three hundred years. If you are really concerned about the durability of cotton, then purchase a heavy grade cotton canvas and try stretching it yourself. Cotton canvas is available in rolls or pre-stretched, primed or unprimed.

CANVAS PADS

For those artists who may be on a tight budget but still want a descent quality surface to paint on, then canvas pads are a good choice. Canvas pads come in a variety of different sizes and are great for beginners who are just starting out. Canvas pads are great for practice or doing studies. Make certain you get a heavy weight canvas pad suitable to hold oil paint.

MASONITE OR HARDBOARD

Masonite is another popular oil painting support for artists. Masonite is actually a trademarked name for a synthetic hardboard made from wood particles. Hardboard is inexpensive and rigid. If you plan to use large hardboards, it is recommended that you reinforce them with a frame, as they can bow or bend. You can purchase plain hardboards or other varieties like canvas boards, which are hardboards covered with a ready to paint canvas material.

WOOD PANELS

The earliest known oil paintings were created on wood panels made of oak or poplar. The wood was covered with a uniform ground made of animal skin glue and chalk. The ground was then polished smooth to create a surface suitable for oil paint.

Pure hard wood panels are not the most popular ground for oil painters today. They are costly and rather difficult to lug around. A good alternative that oil painters use is plywood. There is good quality plywood available made of birch, poplar or mahogany that is suitable for oil paints if prepared correctly. Do not paint on soft woods such as pine because they contain more resins and do not resist moisture very well.

The above are the more popular oil painting supports in use today. There are others that artists use when they are feeling adventurous. Metals like copper and aluminum are sometimes used as a painting support. Obviously metals are quite heavy, so paintings on this type of support are usually on the smaller side. There are also other fabrics used in oil painting like jute, which is a strong natural fiber with a rough texture.

Your choice of oil painting support really depends on your style of painting. Experiment with the variety of painting supports available and have fun. You will eventually find one that works best for you.

If you enjoyed this article, then be sure to visit CreativeSpotlite.com today for more great oil painting tips and instruction, including step by step oil painting demos from experienced artists. Also be sure to visit the Creative Spotlite Art Instruction Blog for more free art instruction.

Today’s consumers are realizing that no wood or wood product exposed to weather is going to be completely maintenance-free. Even exotic woods like Ipe require periodic cleaning and sealing as the natural oils within the wood dry out. All exterior lumber used in deck construction should be maintained every year to protect it from the elements and ground in dirt.

Composite lumber varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, but it appears that all of the popular ones contain wood particles (these ground particles are called “wood flour” by the industry). That means that any of these particles on or near the surface of the board, no matter what they are mixed with, will react to Mother Nature the same way all wood does. Graying and staining are common problems – and the stuff of nightmares for deck owners. Manufacturers are getting calls every day from end users about these issues, and deck restoration contractors are stepping in with the fix.

Cleaning composite decks is important to keep the material looking its best. Properly cleaning composite decks should be done with a composite wood cleaner that is designed specifically for these unique materials. Some manufacturers have suggested using bleach or oxygenated bleach to clean the wood, but the results have been varied. Most pressure washing contractors who do deck renewal are finding success through products made especially for this problem, such as Flood’s Composite Wood Cleaner. The key to this particular product is in the surfactants and cleaning chemicals in its formula.

This guide will give you the basic steps that should be used to get the best results when cleaning composite deck materials.

Preparing the composite deck: Sweep debris like leaves, twigs and dirt off the deck first. Then rinse off the composite lumber to cool it off and remove heavy built up deposits of dirt and mud. Rinsing off the composite deck first will cool the surface and prevent the possibility of flash drying the composite cleaner when it’s applied. Also wet down plants and grass around the deck and if necessary, Cover plants, grass, concrete and any other areas you don’t want the composite cleaner getting on.

Remove any stains on composite decks first! Use oxalic, citric or phosphoric acid-based cleaners to remove rust stains from metal furniture. These will also help remove leaf stains.

Use commercial degreasers containing propylene glycol, sodium hydroxide, and various detergents for removing grease and oil stains.

Spot removers or mineral spirits may be used carefully on stubborn grease or oil stains but should be washed off quickly with water, as it can damage the grain pattern. Spot removers normally include petroleum distillates, xylene, methanol, acetone, or other organic solvents. Use caution if the composite lumber has embedded color, as some solvents may affect the appearance. As always, test your cleaner on an inconspicuous spot.

To remove light mildew wash your composite deck periodically with a cleaner that contains or is mixed with Sodium Hypochlorite.

The cleaning process:

Apply your composite deck cleaner on the railings and floor in manageable sections. Cleaning too large of an area at a time may allow the composite cleaner to dry on the surface which can cause discoloration in some materials. Once the composite cleaner has sat on the surface according to the directions, carefully power wash the surface in the direction of the grain, using less than 800 PSI. Use the pressure washer to “rinse” the surface. Avoid holding the nozzle too close to the composite surface or holding it in any one spot too long. Hold the pressure wand about 8” away from the surface and “sweep” it off in a rinsing motion. Use a “golf swing” motion, and avoid washing each square inch of the surface. Keep the wand moving smoothly over the surface to avoid leaving marks. Proper technique determines the results, so take some time to practice when you are able to. Once you have completed that section, treat the next area and continue until the job is completed.

For regular maintenance, rinse off your composite deck periodically with a hose. Even if your deck appears clean, it is important to prevent build-up of pollen and other debris. Mildew stains may occur where moisture, pollens, and/or dirt are present. Mildew needs a food source to grow, which can be grass, pollens, dirt, debris, wood and wood resins.

To repair scratches, nicks, cuts and grooves in most composite decking materials you can try using a brass wire brush. Brushing will need to be consistent with the grain of the composite material and the brushed area will weather back in approximately 8-10 weeks. Make sure you try this in a hidden area first! Some materials could become discolored or damaged from wire brushing.

High-pressure washing of composite decks is not necessary or advisable. Instead, hire a properly trained pressure washing company to do it correctly and safely. Or if you must do it yourself, use the proper-strength composite lumber cleaners to do all the work for you. Then you simply RINSE using your pressure-washer. Doing it the right way means using your pressure washer to agitate slightly with MODERATE pressure and HIGH water volume. Use the pressure washer responsibly. Too much pressure on the surface of composite lumber can cause damages.

For more information on composite deck cleaners or pressure washing visit http://www.sunbritesupplymd.com or http://www.sunbritesupply.com

Plastic toys seem to be the most popular choice for the consumer these days as the shelves of stores are filled with them. Maybe it is time to consider some alternatives. There are many natural and creative ‘toys’ that can be found in your home and nature.

Here are some alternatives to the toxic, sometimes noisy, plastic toys that you and the kids might enjoy more:

1. Small kids like to mimic what we do. Do you ever notice how they like to play in the cabinets and explore what is in there? Why not give them a cabinet and drawer in the kitchen filled with a wooden spoon, colander, wooden bowl, pot, lid, rolling pin, towel, washcloth, broom, dustpan and a fabric shopping bag. My one year old son spends so much time playing in this space and I always put in a few surprises for him to enjoy.

2. Make a drum or other musical instrument. You can use a recycled container with a lid (yogurt, ice cream) and have an already made drum or make one out of natural materials. Drumming is a great way for kids to connect with their heart and to calm themselves too. They can start a drum circle with their friends,family and neighbors. Kids can make instruments out of sticks that they can decorate and create music. Using paper towel rolls and filling them with dried beans and covering with recycled paper with decoration…you have a shaker!

3. Build a tent out of sheets, blankets or fabric. Okay, this must be every kids all time favorite! Drape them anywhere indoors or outdoors and they have their place space.

4. Rocks, seeds and sticks are plentiful enough. Building, jewelry making, stacking, creative and imaginative play in many different ways. And do not be afraid to let the kids bring them indoors. Relax and they will have even more fun.

5. Recycled clothing can be taken apart and used to make a special one of a kind doll. This is a great opportunity for the child to recognize their creative abilities on their own or share some time with a parent making it extra special.

6. Play silks are a great way to soften the atmosphere of the play area. The silks can be used for imaginative play and dress up. Speaking of dress up…

7. Have a dress up basket. Fill a basket with scarves, beads, large fabric pieces, any any other unique finds. Dress up can help to expand childrens imagination which turn in to the most amazing creative adventures.

8. Using a flannel receiving blanket, soft cloth or a recycled silk scarf, you can make a cuddly doll for a small child. Use a little stuffing for the head. You can use a sock, wool or fluff from milkweed. Then make the arms and legs out of knots.

9. Write a book. Whatever the topic of interest, creating a book is a fun way to use the imagination as well as have a fun learning experience.

10. Growing a garden can be play. Let them dig in the dirt and select what they would like to plant. Kids love to eat food they grow themselves. What a great way for a child to be empowered, by growing their own food.

There are so many natural and creative ideas that come to mind. I realize that their are times when you want to purchase a toy or give a gift. Maybe you will consider checking out some of your local natural toy makers or companies such as Magic Cabin, Nova Naturals and mother owned small businesses for healthier alternatives to the plastic toys. Allowing yourself and children to enjoy creative imaginative play is good for the body, mind and spirit. Have fun!

Lisa R. Marshall is the facilitator of Path to Nature…honoring life through whole health, natural living, herbal healing, sacred celebrations & journeys. She is also a mother & doula. Lisa is a facilitator to those who want to make changes in their lives.

Please visit http://www.Pathtonature.org for further information or to contact the author.

Have you ever thought of learning Spanish but never had the time and right opportunity to do it? You don’t need to worry about “how” to actually do it but what you want to think about twice is if you really have the dedication and interest to learn the Spanish language.

Learning for adults does not come easy any longer compared to how children and teenagers learn. This is true because there is a certain point and range of interest and learning skills each age group has and as a person gets older, the ability to learn depreciates. Think about young children, learning a different language to them is easy as learning A,B,C’s.

Now the next question comes into mind…how do I learn a foreign language fast? We all know that it takes a while to learn new things. It also takes great enthusiasm and interest over something to be able to learn it well and apply it to normal day to day activities. Also, a good memory is built from a vivid event. Findings show that we tend to store in events or images that has a strong impact towards the senses in our memory. This is also why it’s recommended to imagine silly and outrageous images in learning foreign languages because the words can be easily remembered this way. A human brain can certainly not erase these images.

By now you should be able to realize that whatever you have seen ever since you were small is all still registered in your brain. So the next time you see something familiar, be aware that you haven’t completely forgotten what it is or what it is for but just that the image might have not been too interesting at the moment you saw it and in turn, didn’t alert your attention as you were absorbing it to your brain.

So to give you an example how pictures can create an impact in learning a foreign language, we’ll take the English word morning and mañana in Spanish as an example. Imagine this sentence as it happens: Every morning, the postman delivers mails and packages to houses with family names of Manny in a successive order. By associating the words in a scenario as you imagine it happening makes it a lot easier and fun to learn the Spanish language.

Shareen Aguilar is a writer for http://learn-spanish-program.com which has Memory Improvement Books and Memory Game Software for better Spanish language memorization.

It may sound difficult, but it does not necessarily have to be so. You will make your choice much more easily if you take the time to examine the advantages and disadvantages of each potential business. If you are still in the “choosing stage”, below are a few factors which will make your journey easier.

1. The money needed to start the business

The high startup costs is one of the most common drawbacks to home based businesses. No doubt there are many “business opportunities” out there claiming to get your business started for “free”. Don’t believe everything you hear. Costs are always involved when setting up a home business. Look for one with minimal start up costs, but beware of those with unrealistically low costs.

2. Allow some time to become profitable
Another drawback of home business opportunities is the period of time necessary for gaining a profit. It can anywhere from days to months - and sometimes years – so make sure you know what you are getting into. You should probably aim for a business which turns profit sooner rather than later.

3. Starting while maintaining your regular job
No matter how fast your home business becomes profitable, you will still have to deal with a period when no profit is coming in. You will have to find the right balance between working in order to pay your living expenses and devoting the necessary time for the development of your home business.

4. Operating the business
You will need cash not only for starting your business, but also for dealing with operating costs. As such, you should choose a business which brings a reasonable profit after deducing the operating expenses.

5. Demand for your products or services
No matter how good you are at what you are doing, you will never recoup your initial investment or enjoy success if there is little or nearly no demand for your product of services. Before enrolling in a home business, make sure you have a sizable market for whatever it is that you are selling.

In short, start analyzing your options with a critical eye. The best home business is already out there for you… you only need to find it!

Jim Mack and Bryon Howell are home business experts that are launching the Wealth Magnet System in mid-April. To find out more visit Jim’s blog at http://www.jimmacktips.com and visit the company website at http://www.wealthmagnetsystem.com

These two home business leaders are ready to set the industry on fire. Wealth Magnet System launches in mid-April.

Making your living on the internet has many benefits; your time is yours to do what you want with, no annoying bosses to deal with, and the general sense of accomplishment you get from earning your living on your own - to name a few.

When working online though, you must strike a balance. You don’t have a boss enforcing deadlines, and nor do you have any set working hours - this is all up to you. You must also find your own source of motivation each day to sit down and work.

Many people find that their energy levels are much lower when working from home, simply because there isn’t as much arrousal, and your working at your own pace. It can also be a little isolated working from home if your spouse or children are not at home with you. The isolation is good for getting work done - but only if you have the energy and motivation to do the work in the first place.

So what does all this have to do with chewing your food?

Well, approximately 15-20% of your bodies energy is used to digest your food. Even more energy is used if you eat meals that combine starches and hard-to-digest meats, or if you drink a lot of water with your meals (water dilutes digestive juices).

When you chew your food thoroughly you can cut this energy leak from 15-20% down to around 5% in most cases. It’s recommended that you chew each bite of food 30 times. However this is just a general rule of thumb, some foods of course will take a lot less chewing. All things considered, you should at least try to chew your food thoroughly - avoiding swallowing any large chunks.

Working and making your living online is all about attention, focus and making good use of your energy and time. If you focus your attention, energy and time on the right strategy, your bound to have success. The more energy and time you have to focus, the better.

Vince Cordic is the author of an internet marketing blog which explores various internet marketing tactics and strategies to increase your websites traffic and earnings.

Blog URL: http://www.vincecordic.com

According to recent surveys, over 70% of people questioned said they would like to write a book. This article touches on three key points that just might help them - and you - do just that!

First key point: willpower. Although 70% of people questioned may well have said they would like to write a book, figures aren’t available for the number who actually did anything about it. It’s an unfortunate truth that wanting to do something and actually doing it are very often a long way apart from each other. Part of this problem lies in the fact that, for the vast majority of people, writing a book is something they have no idea how to start.

It’s all very well having a great idea for that blockbuster novel but turning that idea into a finished book is normally quite an undertaking. A writer must have the willpower to carry it through to a conclusion and even the strongest will can fail if the writer does not have a clear plan of what lies ahead.

Writing a book is a big task. Having your end in mind at all times enables you to focus on the task before you and, perhaps surprisingly, can bolster your willpower significantly.

Second key point: planning. There’s an old saying - ‘fail to plan, plan to fail’. Originally found in books on positive mental attitude back in the 1980’s, this sort of mantra-style catchphrase still has plenty of validity in all sorts of situations, not the least in writing a book.

A book - be it a novel or factual book - must be planned from the outset. It’s very tempting to start off willy-nilly, trusting to luck that all will be well and that, at the end of a writing frenzy, your magnum opus will be finished, polished and ready for the reading public. Maybe it will - if you have a truly massive slice of luck.

In reality, you will in all probability manage to get to about 10,000 words before running out of steam altogether. How do I know this? Easy - it comes from painful experience. The realisation that your story has fallen apart can come as a crushing blow - in fact, it can lead to your giving up on the idea of writing a book entirely. Don’t be caught out by lack of planning!

Third key point: Marketability. An awkward word for a possibly awkward concept - especially if you have never considered the fact that your book (when finished) must be a saleable product. I’m not for one minute trying to stifle the creative outpourings of any writer but, come to crunch-time, it has to be accepted that what you write has got to sell; if it is not saleable then, as a commercial proposition, you have failed in your endeavour.

Consider this: is the book you propose to write targeted at a specific audience? If not - why not? It has been said that writing for a target market stifles ‘the creative mind’. Well, I’m sorry but I do not agree. Emphatically. In my opinion, it is much easier to write a book on any subject you fancy than to write one that fits snugly into a market niche. The real task is writing for your reading public - after all, they are the ones who part with their hard-earned cash to read something they like to read!

To write a book that is marketable and will sell is very much part of a writer’s skill portfolio. The vast majority of published writers are those who, whilst creating entirely original and valid work, conform to very tight and targeted publishing guidelines within their chosen genre or book type. If you can master this skill you are, believe me, well on the way to being published.

So what can be learned from this brief article? In a nutshell, it can be realised that commercial creative writing is written for a target audience; that planning is all-important if you wish to finish what you have started and - not least by any means - iron willpower is a prime requisite for the committed novelist. Put these three together and this ‘writers triangle’ can be the foundation for a professional approach to your writing career.

Steve Dempster writes articles for the web and works of fiction. If you would like to get the know-how a novelist needs to write professionally, take a look at this.