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About the Writer: Bennet Pomerantz is a media review columnist in
175 newspapers with his weekly column AUDIOWORLD. His fiction and
reviews have appeared in the pages of Affaire De Coeur, Gateways, Mystery
Scene, Power Star, The Hot Corner, Washington Entertainment Magazine, and
many others. He is also known for his review appearances on the MCN
Forum. View his web site at
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A Piece of My Mind - Site
Seeing Bennet Pomerantz I don't know about you, when I am done toiling on my computer . . . I want to search the internet to unwind before I shut off the old workhorse for the night. I first check my email ([email protected]) awaiting your comments on my latest column and then I read USA Today ( http://www.usatoday.com) to check the current headlines and up-to-date news stories. I may play free games on slingo, yahoo, and pogo web sites to just enjoy a few minutes of pleasure. It may be hard to believe, but I like exploring unique web sites when I get bored. Sometimes this makes my work better because I find useful and challenging sites to intrigue my mind. However, I also like to dig deep into the wonderful places when a writer can also mine ideas . . . and on the net, there are many great places to journey, these are a few you may want to sightsee. You know with all the viruses and scams on the net, someone needs to share some of these feared urban legends that have sprung up over the years. You know like Bill Gates Jr.'s e-mail promising a million dollars to shared by all for the passing around that special e-mail with his name. I am still awaiting my few dollars from five years ago when I first saw the post, alas I don't think my money will be coming soon . . . Until then, I use a site about most urban legends of the net . . .http://urbanlegends.about.com/mbody.htm. I found some real winners of net hoaxes. Great reading for all who like to debunk the De bunkers ! I need a change of venue regarding my computer wall paper. I know it's just a computer screen, but when you stare at it for a long time waiting for that idea to germinate in your brain, you may want to make it cheerful. As I write this, it's November and I am in the mood for a holiday wallpaper . . .something this side of Christmas cheer without that winter blah that overcast skies make you feel. That means its time for me to view the different selections at screensavers.com (http://www.screensavers.com/index.html). This free site can give your computer a new look with screen savers, wall paper, etc. from Holidays to classic TV. And did I say FREE! You got to love the price! Have you ever wanted everything regarding reference at your fingertips, There are moments I need a quote, what happened on a date in history, a zip code, or the current news. The best site for facts on the net is Ref Desk (http://refdesk.com). This site is a Godsend for students, writers and for those persons in the know. It's like having a research general at your finger tips. It has everything you will ever need for research on any kind. It is one of the writer's best friends on the net. This should be book marked in everyone's internet favorite sites. Ref Desk is worth your time and will be a Godsend (I know I said Godsend twice in the same paragraph, but it is useful to me!) to you, as it is to me! Okay, I love a bargain, doesn't everyone! Now I may seem a pound foolish for most, but the best site for bargains and bargain hunters is still EBAY . . . (www.ebay.com). This is not a shameless plug for them, nor do I work the mega superstore. However I have gotten some great bargains there. For example, I collect graphic novels (For those who don't know , these novels are a multi chaptered comic book story arcs placed in one book) and I have found some great buys at EBAY. There was this one dealer had a bargain I could not miss. He had an auction of six (yes six!) graphic novels with the starting bid at $19.95 . . . and NO ONE bid against me! The nice part of the deal was the Marvel mini series 1602 (A find - still wrapped and sealed hard cover) was in this lot of books. That book alone retails for $24.95 in Boarders and there were five other books in the lot . . . well you get the idea! EBAY also owns Half.com, so you may find more good stuff there as well. I also must say when shopping EBAY or any auction sites on line, remember the old motto of shoppers and bargain hunters everywhere . . . " Let the buyer be ware!" There are a few writers' site you can use to find new markets to sell your work. WE must remember. It is great to write, but it is better to earn a living doing it. First there is coffeehouse for writers (www.Coffeehouseforwriters.com) for the best classes to help you get sales and directions. One of the better sites for leads is Writing for Dollars (http://www.writingfordollars.com/), Editor Dan Case has assembled a great section where you can find some great writing gigs. I really do love their mission statement on the front of their web site, which I reprint here word for word . . . Writing for DOLLARS! Focuses on the business side of writing I am the least qualified to fix anything. When I was in High School, there was a rumor I heard that all the shop teachers said I was 'The most likely to get electrocuted using a screw driver'. So when a good friend suggested I view the repair clinic web site (http://www.repairclinic.com/) , I thought she was nuts. OK Kriste, I was wrong. This site is very interesting for people who like to repair items in their house. The detailed instructions serve a need and a purpose. However, I won't be repairing anything soon as I don't want to get electrocuted For those writers who want to write for film or film students who want study film scripts, I suggest Drew's Script-O-Rama. ( http://www.script-o-rama.com/). This site gives you scripts, scripts and more scripts (Did I say scripts?). The screen plays are in every shape and form from a development idea, through rough drafts to final shooting and production scripts. Someone said the best way to learn is observing. In reading some of these screenplays from grade B films, current releases to modern day classics, the would-be screenplay artist can study the craft and art of film making. Food is important. I do know how to cook, as most writers do. However, after all is said and done there are times I don't know what to cook with what I have in the kitchen. This is until I viewed the web site Cooking By The Numbers, which is an amazing site for those duffers in the kitchen. (http://www.cookingbynumbers.com). This web site takes what you have in the house to create meals. The recipes are simple and easy, and I could do it! If I can, you can too! Now, this is your LAST CHANCE . . . I am finishing up an article on "When do you consider yourself a writer." Your feedback would be great. If you have already submitted, I have it (Thank you), I don't need another copy! For those who haven't submitted, you can send your comments on this question to [email protected] with the word WRITER in the subject line. The article will be in either January or February. So til next time, keep your feet on the ground and reach for the stars **** |
