Posted by Lima Al-Azzeh

Here it is again. It’s New Years resolution time, and here at Suite101 our writers believe that no goal is too lofty to keep.

Over the past year our writers have been dedicated to writing articles that will help you achieve your goals. A common New Years resolution is to make the new year a healthier one than the last, whether the goal is to eat a more healthy, balanced diet or simply committing to exercising more.

Others plan to have a more adventurous year, to see the world and travel more. Perhaps you plan on visiting some romantic locations in Europe, or skip the luxury and try an adventure in South America this year.

Whatever your New Year resolutions may be, and whether you decide to stick to them or not, our Suite writers will find a way to help you.

Here’s to a great New Year!

Posted by Marci Hotsenpiller

Here in the Limelight, we’ve been working hard to shine a light on the best tips and strategies for online writing over the past year. Thanks to Lima, our most prolific poster (!), we’ve been able to track down some handy SEO ideas for making sure online articles get "found" by search engines. Lima also went into the field to unearth a range of useful tactics from Suite101 writers themselves.

Looking back, we hope that it's been helpful. Thanks to everyone who took part in an interview, posted a comment, or sent in feedback. Looking ahead to the New Year, we’re pretty excited to introduce several new posters and add the odd surprise “guest” blogger into the mix.

Over the past few months we’ve definitely noticed that some of the best advice comes from our own writers. Here’s a perfect example in a recent article by Suite101 writer Mia Carter. Mia is a Boston-area journalist who (when not covering pet care on Suite as a Feature Writer), provides practical ideas about how online writers can use Google News Alerts to make sure their writing isn’t plagiarized elsewhere on the web.

As our Editor-in-chief Dirk Westphal likes to say, writing is a fairly solitary pursuit. The act of writing has never been a group activity. Here in the Limelight, we see that he’s right, but also hope to bridge the gap between writers by sharing what we know, presenting what we’ve learned, and hearing about what’s working for others in their online writing life. Write on, everyone! See you back here in the New Year.

Posted by Lima Al-Azzeh

No matter how a family chooses to celebrate the holiday season, it is almost inevitable that a certain amount of stress will accompany the delights and joys of winter festivities.

Dawn Ellis-Lopez knows that the holiday season has its ups and downs. A great tip that Dawn shares for maintaining a low-stress holiday is to avoid revealing any big, difficult news at this time. A great tip indeed, holidays should be remembered as a joyous time of gathering and not mixed up with any sort of major, emotional news.

Sometimes simply resolving to maintain a healthy holiday can reduce much stress. According to Jennifer Wagaman eating healthy and exercising can be an effective way to cruise through the holiday season.

Gift-giving is among the most stressful part of the holidays, between figuring out what to buy whom and then minding the budget, anyone can feel anxious when the season rolls around. Candace LaRue has some great ideas on how to remember what the holidays are truly about, and sharing that spirit with family and friends.

For an all-purpose, major list of ways to de-stress this holiday season, 65 ways to be exact, be sure to check out Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen’s article.

Have a happy, healthy holiday!

Posted by Lima Al-Azzeh

Mary McCarthy, Home Management feature writer, has found a more profitable and meaningful career alternative than writing for traditional print magazines. Even though, after years of writing she landed her “dream job” as Managing Editor for a print magazine, she couldn’t get accustomed to being away from her kids. Hoping to marry her passions for writing, motherhood, and holiday crafts,, Mary found a happy alternative writing in the online world.

Today Mary earns over $1400 some months from her articles on Suite, though she is quick to say it wasn’t always this way: “Be patient. When you first see those pennies a day coming in, you think there is no way you will ever make real money- but you will in no time. Measure the percentage difference between your first month earnings and your second and then think about that growth continuing over time.”

Her most popular articles are on seasonal topics, with tips on how to celebrate affordably, or offering ideas for holiday crafts and gifts. Inspiration for her writing comes from everyday life; turning household activities--like making a gingerbread house with her four children—into her next article.

Adding to the adage of “write what you know,” Mary suggests that articles still need to be well-researched, well-written, and well-planned to attract attention. “People start searching for holiday articles two months before the holidays happen,” she notes. “Follow trends in keywords by researching what Google words people are searching for and then incorporate that research into your article.”

As for the challenge of finding new ideas to write about? “ Keep a year-round running list of articles that you would like to write about in the future. When you need inspiration, simply look at the list!”

Posted by Marci Hotsenpiller

Posted by Lima Al-Azzeh

This final installment of the “Attaining Inbound Links” series is something we’ve discussed in an earlier limelight post. However, to expand on that previous post, perhaps it isn’t enough to add social bookmarking widgets to your article, in hopes that readers will want to recommend your site.

Marc Bitanga wisely advises that writers still need to do their part in being recommended. Apart from writing interesting articles, it is important that writers build a community on social bookmarking sites. Digg.com is a popular site that encourages “diggers” to share and discuss content with members and non-members, thus creating a network of people who encourage one another, and recommend each other’s sites.

Once you write an article, submit it to a social bookmarking site and then encourage your network of friends to recommend your article. This is bound to increase your site’s popularity rankings thus exposing your content to many more readers. Avoid clicking on the widgets at the bottom of your article yourself, this can be seen as an unethical SEO trick.

Once in a while, consider submitting your article to Stumbleupon; a site that recommends other neat things to check out on the web, though results are often less targeted as the site is meant to mimic “channel surfing”. While this may not always be a reliable source of traffic, it definitely can help to get your content out there in the web to be found by interested parties.

Posted by Lima Al-Azzeh

Whether they were contacted through their homepages or via the press room- numerous Suite101 writers are sought and“found” by various media sources. Suite101 writers are gaining a steady reputation as experts in their fields and have had the honour of being asked to write articles for print magazines, conduct workshops and even be interviewed by local news stations.

Lena Gott was contacted by a local news station after her helpful “Black Friday” shopping tips impressed a local reporter. Even better, they’ve offered that she suggest topics for more interview segments in the future. In addition to appearing on television, the news station will be linking to her Suite article from their online story once the interview airs.

Herbs and Spices feature writer Lynn Smythe caught the eye of Back Home Magazine who purchased an article on Traditional Herbs and Spices (currently appearing in the Nov./Dec. issue of the magazine.) This isn’t Lynn’s first appearance in this magazine; her continued expertise on the subject as well as her prolific writing will likely get her many more opportunities to publish in print.

Being found on Suite can also lead to exciting speaking engagements. Many of our writers, including Amy Kreydin, massage therapy feature writer, have been asked to conduct workshops for large, national organizations related to what they write about. Based on her writing at Suite, Amy has also been asked to teach classes and appear as a guest lecturer at a state college.

Posted by Marci Hotsenpiller

It’s been hard to hold our tongues lately when reading coverage about the “death” of the newspaper. Over at Publishing 2.0, Scott Karp’s post on this topic led to an active debate about where news media is going to find a workable business model. Somehow it never feels appropriate to pipe up and say "Excuse me. Over here folks.”

And yet everyday, professional journalists who are victims of newsroom downsizing are knocking on our virtual door, asking to come in. Lately the trickle has become a steady stream. We’re picky about which writers we choose at Suite (our acceptance rate sits at 25%), but we’re happy to swing the doors open to these writers (whose acceptance rate, as a group, is closer to 100%).

It would be disingenuous of me--an avid newspaper reader--to sit and simply watch this trend happen, so instead I’ll point out some concepts that might help newspapers (or entrepreneurial journalists) benefit from the business model we follow at Suite.

* Share ad revenue with writers: this seems preferable compared to the “assign an article, pay once” approach favored by newspapers. Articles that make money for the publisher make money for the writer.

* Royalty-based payment systems: follow a dividend style that pays a writer monthly for as long their work is available to read. (Skip the upfront payment to a writer but let then benefit from the revenue their writing earns each month, for eternity.)

* Let writers keep their copyright: find a middle ground for supplying exclusive news and articles without trying to “lock” it down. Publishers: try asking for a period of exclusivity, rather than owning all rights for every possible medium, forever.

In times of crisis like the financial one we’re witnessing now, this kind of royalty-based payment model could prevent the dramatic staffing course-corrections that news media are currently making.

What are the challenges? One of the quirkier ones is answering the question: “what can I make?” (This is like an author asking “how many books will I sell?”) Since royalties depend on how long someone’s been publishing and how many articles they have on the site, it’s a huge range. When you’ve got writers making $2000 a month at the top end, combined with new writers earning $10 a month, you can see the challenge of providing an exact figure.

Is it a crisis-proof model? Well, we won’t be firing any writers anytime soon here at Suite and we’ll keep paying them a share of what their articles earn for as long as they’re on our site.

Posted by Lima Al-Azzeh

Writer Carla Marie Boulianne has seen her professional writing career evolve over the past several months, and has succeeded at linking her work to her personal experience as a mom. We caught up with Carla to find out how she got to this point with her writing:

1.) How did you start writing online ?

As a stay-at-home mom, my previous career was no longer an option. I hoped for a new career that would allow the flexibility to remain active in my children’s school and extra curricular activities. Researching and writing come naturally to me. I explored various web content providers and felt that Suite101 offered the best long term earning potential and professional exposure for freelance writers.

2.) How has your online writing career developed?

I received promotion to feature writer, for Parenting a Gifted Child. I have also landed other freelance web content assignments based on my growing Suite101 portfolio. Unlike many freelance writing sites, Suite101 allows authors to retain copyright to their work. This leads to lucrative repurposing opportunities that writers at other sites miss.

3.) Any tips for new web writers?

The Internet requires distinct writing skills for success. Absorb the Suite101 training materials: Suite101 provides excellent SEO training through the Web Writing Handbook, Tips and Tricks, and invaluable peer mentoring. Be patient and persistent, build a strong body of work, and follow the advice of Suite101’s expert editorial team. The returns will follow.

4.) What has been your “Suitest” accomplishment to date?

As feature writer for Parenting a Gifted Child, I encounter truly unique opportunities. My young daughter assisted in my review of the IGUANA Warwick online gifted program. She actively participated in the forums and provided insight into the program’s appeal. The lead professional asked my daughter to stay on as a regular participant- an unexpected perk that would otherwise have been unaffordable.

Posted by Lima Al-Azzeh

Last time, we talked about how to write interesting articles in order to attain inbound links and increase traffic to your articles. Another useful method to attaining these links is by creating a relationship with other writers and bloggers.

As our SEO Manager Marc Bitanga says, “ You need allies when trying to create inbound links or buzz about your articles.” Creating a positive buzz about your work is simply a matter of creating a network of friends and acquaintances who value your work and would be happy to recommend you to others. There are a few simple ways to do this:

1) The first link building strategy is to leave comments on blog posts. If you subscribe to a particular blog that you feel has relevance to your article, don’t be afraid to write a comment along the lines of “Hey, this post is great. I wrote a similar article to it that your readers may find helpful (add link).” An even better way to do this is to leave a comment that refers specifically to an interesting item in the blog post. This will show the blogger that you have read, understood, and shown interest in their work so they may feel better about supporting you and your work in return.

2) “Another link building strategy”, says Marc, “is to reach out and contact bloggers via email to tell them about your article. Possibly asking them to do a blog post reviewing your article. It is best to do this after you have established a rapport and communication with that blogger.”

For more resources on networking in online communities check out these blogs:

Guy Kawasaki- How to Suck Up to a Blogger

Performancing.com- Networking for Blog (Article) Success

Posted by Lima Al-Azzeh

Suite101.com isn’t just a great place to start or build a career in writing; it’s also a great place to fulfill personal goals. Here are some “priceless perks” some of our writers have enjoyed since writing for Suite.

Mia Carter, Pet Care Feature Writer

“I decided there were three people on my "wish list" that I wanted to interview: Cesar Millan, the Dog Whisperer; Ingrid Newkirk, the founder of PETA; and Peter Singer, who writes on ethics, much of which specifically relates to animals and the environment.

Earlier this month, I got an exclusive interview with the Dog Whisperer. And today, I got to speak with Ingrid Newkirk! Two out of three (in one month no less!). Those are two people I admire immensely and I know that my work with Suite secured the exclusive interviews.”

Sometimes a “perk” is simply hearing from the author you’ve reviewed:

From a note received by Christine Eirschele (Suite101 Flower Gardens, Feature Writer)

“Dear Christine:

I read your review before I even got your emaill.

WOW did you ever get it!!!!

Thank you so much. I am honored. If books still sell, let's hope this is one of them.”

Best,

Ken Druse (Author of Planthropology)”

David J. Shestokas— Law, Crime and Justice, Contributing Writer

“I recently read the Last Days of Krypton, and felt moved to go outside my regular zone of issues and reviewed the book because it was so much fun for me to read. About two days later I got an e-mail from Kevin Anderson, the author , thanking me for my comments and giving me a little inside scoop on a Batman Superman novel coming up in May.”

Posted by Lima Al-Azzeh

In the last blog post, SEO Manager Marc Bitanga recommended that writers attain inbound links to their articles in order to increase page rank and drive traffic to their content. Attaining links can be done in three ways: (1) write interesting articles (2) network in online communities (3) take advantage of social media.

This blog post will be dedicated to exploring the first method: Write interesting articles or rather Marc says, “write something that people think is link-worthy”.

Whether the article is topical, seasonal, or evergreen, they should appear to be a complete resource for information. One of the best ways to do this is to provide a few relevant outbound links within the article. Try to link to sites like government websites, health board or health advisory websites, or websites for organizations. The most positive, user-friendly experiences are when readers know that they can rely on your article to get all the information they need about that topic, including links that lead them to sites where they can get even more information. Think of your article as a directory, pointing readers to the best, most important information all around.

For some more ideas on how to write link-worthy articles visit Copyblogger.

Posted by Lima Al-Azzeh

Black Hat SEO is a term that means using “unethical search engine optimization techniques” in order to drive traffic to a site or to gain a higher standing in Google page rank. In a recent article L. Shepherd, Suite101's Online Publishing Feature Writer, talks about some of these ill advised techniques including keyword stuffing and hiding keywords.

Our resident SEO Manager, Marc Bitanga, gladly recommended some ethical “White Hat SEO” tips for online writers:

1) Keyword Research & Targeting- Take the time to research what keywords & phrases users may be using when searching for your topic. You may be referring to something as Widget X when a more popular search term would include Widget Y. Researching keywords will help you to avoid this problem early on and ensure that the right people are finding the right content.

2) Use Target Keywords & Phrases Strategically in Your Content- Place target keywords & phrases in the right HTML tags to increase search engine rankings. This is also known as SEO copywriting. Place target keywords in the <TITLE>, <H1>, and <H2> as well as the content body. Be careful not to overdo it, this may be considered keyword stuffing, and could negatively impact your user experience and your search engine rankings.

3) Attain Inbound Links to Your Articles- Search engines see incoming links as “votes” for the credibility and popularity of your article. The more inbound links you can attain from credible websites such as influential blogs, articles and editorial sites, the more credibility will be given to your article from search engines. This will help improve your rankings and page views.

Stay tuned for more advice from Marc, as well as more information on how to increase rankings and drive traffic to your site, in upcoming blog posts.

Posted by Lima Al-Azzeh

Recently we spoke with Michael Peters, a writer who told us about his start here at Suite and how this helped him launch his career as a writer.

Why did you decide to write for Suite101.com?

I felt that Suite 101 was a place in which I could receive more exposure as a writer. I feel it is very difficult to make it in this field if you do not have a lot of experience. No one will hire you if you have not done any previous work.

Would you consider yourself a Career Writer?

I am definitely a career writer. I have always maintained a strong passion for the writing field because of the creativity it presents to you. Anything can be expressed in any style possible. There are no rules constricting one when they write.

How do you feel about your articles being picked up by major online news sources like CNN and The Washington Post?

It was extremely satisfying that these major companies felt my articles were worthy enough to be associated with their websites. I cannot express enough the thrill a writer feels when he discovers his work is finally being seen by more than just a few readers.

In your opinion, how does Suite101 compare to other online resources?

Suite is, in my opinion, a source that should be readily referenced. Unlike some sites, where information can be added and subtracted, Suite 101 provides readers with experts on specified topics which helps to establish Suite as one of the most reliable websites out there at the present moment.

“I truly wanted to make a mark in the world of professional writing and I believe it first started with Suite 101.” – Michael Peters

Posted by Marci Hotsenpiller

Posted by Lima Al-Azzeh

Online forums are a great means of communication. Whether used to network with colleagues, to find out about jobs, or to ask pressing career questions, forums are a great way to seek out information from a host of people who are in the same career boat. However, as with every form of communication, participants need to ensure that a certain level of tact and consideration is observed in order to get the most out of an online discussion.

Here are some quick tips on how to observe decorum in the forum:

• Don’t name names: Ask yourself if your comment has more to do with a personal grievance than a public concern. If you find yourself aiming your forum post to a specific person, or mentioning a specific person, consider sending him/her a private email. Never put yourself, or anyone else, in a position where he or she feels that they must publically defend themselves.

• There are no stupid questions: Newcomers look to the forum as a way to get practical advice from seasoned writers and editors. Even if the same questions have been asked over and over, it is likely that that particular person hasn’t trolled through each and every forum post to find an answer. Be patient and cooperative.

• Use the forum for your benefit: Use the forum to seek information, whether to find out about job opportunities in your area or start a type of writer support group. Feel free to post encouraging notes to writers in your community.

Maintaining good working relationships with members of your online community is as important as maintaining good relationships in the workplace. Remember that what you write online is representative of you. Make a good impression by being tactful and helpful.

For some more great advice on online etiquette check out these articles at Suite101.com:

• Top 10 Netiquette Guidelines
• Conflict in Online Chat Forums
• Email Etiquette- Do's and Don'ts

Posted by Lima Al-Azzeh

We were delighted to hear that Suite101’s dating expert, Cherie Burbach, was asked to do a tv interview after a local Milwaukee reporter found her articles on our site.

The interview recently aired on Milwaukee news station, WTMJ. Cherie was cool, calm and collected while providing her tips and tricks on online dating. They even mentioned both of her books in the interview- what a great plug, not to mention a big step forward in her professional writing career.

You can watch the interview here; just make sure to click on the video button to see it live.

Congratulations once again to Cherie on her Suite Success.

Posted by Lima Al-Azzeh

Many freelance writers look forward to increasing their income by writing for the web. Yet fulltime and casual writers often forget that where there is potential to earn money, there is potential to save money. How is this done? By researching possible tax deductions and write-offs.

Earlier this year, Suite101’s David R. Wetzel wrote a great article: “Eight Small Business Tax Breaks”, outlining the benefits of having a “Small Business Tax Strategy”. Many new freelance writers don’t realize that freelancing is really their own small, privately owned business and they are fully within their rights to search for deductions in their taxes.

Additional tips for writers who are seeking legal tax deductions:

- Find a good, reputable accountant in your area. Don’t be afraid to hire an aggressive accountant who tries to maximize your deductions and lower your income taxes. Just ensure that the accountant’s efforts are fully legal.

- Keep a copy of all your receipts. Many small business owners, including freelance writers, are unaware of what kinds of receipts can qualify as a write-off. These can include records of travel expenses, related education, food (taking clients out for lunch, having dinner with an industry expert), furniture, equipment (including your computer and software), and your office space.

- Start early. Don’t wait until just before tax-time to start collecting receipts and organizing your records. Keep a file handy that you can pull out and look over at any time. And stay informed; don’t just rely on your accountant to tell you all the information you need to save your own money.

David R. Wetzel’s article is focused on tax breaks in the U.S. For information on deductions in Canada visit the Canada Revenue Agency website.

Posted by Marci Hotsenpiller

Posted by Lima Al-Azzeh

Astronomy and Space feature writer, Kelly Whitt, has been a dedicated part of our Suite101 community for some time now. In this brief interview, Kelly candidly tells us about her two loves: writing and space.

1.) How long have you been writing for Suite and what inspired you to apply to be a writer?

I started working for Suite in the summer of 2006. I worked at Astronomy magazine before becoming a stay-at-home mom and missed being able to share my love of space with a broad audience.

2.) Do you have any tips for writers just starting to write for the web?

Get to the point. In writing for magazines, you have time to hook readers with clever introductions, but on the web readers have a million other choices at their fingertips. Start throwing out information fast and furious.

3.) What has been your "Suite-est" accomplishment since writing for the site?

One of my biggest accomplishments on Suite was winning the Editor's Choice award five times so far. It is something I strive for every time I write an article.

4.) What's your favourite thing about writing for Suite?

I love that I have such a huge reach in sharing information about astronomy to thousands of people each day. Writing for the web can be quite a challenge because we are essentially working by ourselves in our homes, which can feel quite isolating. But when you receive comments from people around the world who are so thankful and appreciative of the articles you've written, it helps you remember that real people are reading your work and are grateful for the information you provide.

Posted by Lima Al-Azzeh

A revenue share system, in the online world, simply means that writers get paid when readers click on ads linked to the article. A common misconception is that making money this way is merely based on a stroke of luck. Nothing could be further from the truth. Learning how to manage your expectations about this type of system is your first measure to future success.

Realize that a Major Payout Takes Time:

So you’ve written your three best articles and proudly posted them only to see that you haven’t made much money. This is a normal process for any new writer. Patience is a virtue: give yourself time to get used to writing for the web and time to establish a readership. One of our most successful writers, Laurie Pawlik- Kienlen, featured in this week’s installment of "Suite Success", urges writers to think of the revenue share system “like compound interest: it doesn’t seem to matter at first, but over time the benefits accrue.”

Write Timeless Articles:

Take the time to research topics that are “timeless”. Well-written pieces that provide solid information are a great way to ensure that your article will be found when inquiring readers perform a search and subsequently can help you earn lifelong revenues.

Remember that Exposure is Priceless:

You may not be making mega bucks off your first few articles but remember that the more articles you have online, the more you make your talents known and available both in the online world and offline. Creating a portfolio of good work can allow you to be approached for great offline opportunities, like having a magazine ask you to write an article for them based on an article you wrote online or being approached to do a tv interview, as was the case for Cherie Burbach. The pay off from exposure can be equally as satisfying, and lucrative, as generating revenue online.

Posted by Lima Al-Azzeh

Some of our seasoned writers are beginning to reap great benefits from their commitment to Suite101. Congratulations to Laurie Pawlik- Kienlen and Cherie Burbach on some major successes.

Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen is a feature writer for the Psychology section and a dedicated Suite ambassador. Recently she told us of her success at being a freelance writer and writing for Suite:

I always earn several hundred dollars per month, and at least $10-$20 per day. I'm happy with this income, because it's steady -- and you don't see that often as a freelance writer! Plus I love to write, and I love the support of the Suite101 community. It took me a year and a couple hundred articles to get to this point (now it's been 2 years and around 400 articles).

Anyway -- the initial output is the hardest part. Building a solid base takes time and effort, but I think it's worth it. It's like compound interest: it doesn't seem to matter at first, but over time the benefits accrue.

Sounds like some sage advice Laurie!

In other good news, Dating expert Cherie Burbach shares a candid moment about being asked to do a television interview:

I just got a call to do an on-camera interview on one of Milwaukee's TV stations. I'm so nervous, but I know my topic really well. Luckily they are coming to my home to interview me - which means nothing live. (Which also means I can stop and start again if I need to!)

The best part? The reporter looked at my Suite articles and contacted me. That's proof that writing here helps get us recognized as experts in our particular area.

Congratulations to our Suite writers on their success, we hope to hear more stories like this soon!

Posted by Lima Al-Azzeh

“Market” books are a series of useful guides for writers. Edited and compiled by Robert Lee Brewer, these books impart valuable knowledge about how to become a successful and published writer.

Freelance writers would find the 2009 edition of Writer’s Market: Where and How to Sell What You Write the most useful. This resource includes helpful chapters like the ever-popular “Query Letter Clinic” as well as the “How Much Should I Charge” column. These two subjects are of increasing concern to many of our own writers here at Suite101. Brewer also compiles articles by numerous best selling authors and features many freelance success stories to prove that these methods are effective. The book also includes a large list of agents and publishers summarizing what they expect, what they accept, and how to contact them. Unfortunately, the list only reflects agents and publishers in the US and Canada.

Not to be taken as a common grammar guide, this book serves as an introduction to the market place. It is for writers who know how to write and would like to take the next step in having their work published.

This book can be purchased at most local bookstores or online through sites like Amazon or even directly from the F+W Publications Bookstore website.

Posted by Lima Al-Azzeh

Building a solid readership is important to every writer and writing timeless articles is a great way of ensuring that your readers will remain satisfied. Here are a few tips on how to keep readers coming back for more.

Avoid Items that will “Date” Articles:

Even if your article idea was inspired by a recent event, avoid mentioning any specific dates in the body of the article. Readers may associate specific dates/times with that information and therefore may dismiss that information once the event has passed. Avoid using words like “recently” or even “yesterday”, “today” etc. to keep your topic as relevant as possible.

Research for Original Content:

Even if you are writing on a topic that has been widely discussed, on the web or otherwise, try and take a fresh approach. Do some research on how the topic has been approached in the past then write it from a different angle. Chances are you will be giving your readers some new and valuable information.

Provide solid information and High Quality Work:

Properly researching your topic and backing up all information in your article is a great way to build your credibility. Make sure to cite all your sources and double check that all links within the article go to the correct pages. Similarly proofread your work to make sure it is as error-free as possible. One little slip-up can make a writer untrustworthy in the eyes of a reader.

Just remember that building a readership is based on a trusting relationship between the reader and the writer. Consistency in the type of information and quality level of the work is what will help writers meet with great success.

For more tips and tricks on how to improve your writing, visit our Writing and Publishing section here at Suite101.com and see what our experts have to say!

Posted by Lima Al-Azzeh

Barbara Melville, former feature writer for Personality/ Anxiety/ Mood Disorders, recently had an article featured for Editor’s Choice. Here’s what she has to say about her life at Suite.

What is your favourite thing about writing for Suite101?

There’s a great deal of potential for learning, not just in the topics I write about, but also in gaining proficiency in web-writing. The Suite community is incredibly encouraging – the writers and editors support each other daily, and their combined wealth of experience is nothing short of extraordinary.

What is your biggest punctuation bugaboo?

That would be the extraneous apostrophe. My local restaurant has a sign outside that says “Pizza’s”. Unfortunately, it isn’t owned by Mr Pizza. On the flipside, I’m overly fond of the comma. I have to remove about five of them every time I draft an article.

Do you have any tips for writers just starting to write for the web?

I think it’s important to embrace the learning curve and to get into good habits early on. One such good habit would be to read the available literature and ask questions if something doesn’t make sense.

What are your goals as a writer on Suite?

I aspire to the knowledge of Plants & Bulbs Features Writer, Angela England. She has informally mentored me and been there through every web-writing panic. She has contributed to my growth as a writer, and I hope to pass on these priceless teachings.

What has been your “Suite-est” accomplishment since writing for the site?

To be honest, while Suite has led to much appreciated praise and writing gigs, my biggest accomplishment has been watching my time-management skills evolve. Having the weekly writing commitment has almost certainly been the linchpin in that development.

Barbara Melville is now the feature writer for Genetics and Evolution under the Science and Nature category.

Posted by Lima Al-Azzeh

Here at Suite we like to give a pat on the back to those writers who have achieved their writing goals, whether at Suite or outside of Suite. Every week Suite Success will document those achievements. Congratulations to our writers!

The perks as a Suite writer come in many forms. Catherine A. Garretson- Bilnoski’s article on Gluten-Free Fast Food caught the eye of Triumph Dining who then sent her a copy of their Gluten-Free Dining Guide for review; a book she says she was thinking of purchasing for herself anyway. Regarding the progress she has been making as a writer, Catherine says:

“ A HUGE ‘Thank You’ to Suite for the start. I will continue to write for Suite. Without the ability to use my Suite articles in an e-portfolio I wouldn't have been able to obtain the work I have.”

Meanwhile, one of our newest contributing writers Nicholas Morine shares his recent excitement at discovering that after being “on suite for a little over a month [he’s] already cruising at $1/day on average from the residual articles.”

Congratulations to both our writers on their efforts and achievements, we hope they will serve as an inspiration to existing and aspiring writers.

Posted by Lima Al-Azzeh

All writers understand the necessity of having a grammar guide in their library. These days not every guide has to be a stiff and boring account of grammar rules. Check out these witty books on the pains of punctuation and the hilarious effects of bad grammar.

Eats, Shoots and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation by Lynn Truss (Publisher: Gotham Books, Copyright: 2003)

This best selling book put punctuation at the forefront of modern day problems. Truss raises a call to arms against the misuse of such important punctuation marks as apostrophes and commas, sometimes showing how the misuse of either can lead to a life or death situation.

Woe is I: The Grammarphobe’s Guide to Better English in Plain English by Patricia T. O’Connor (Publisher: Riverhead Trade, Copyright: 1998)

Recognizing that English is fast becoming the primary language for global communication, Patricia T. O’Connor sets out to simplify the rules of its usage in a candid and delightful way; heading off each chapter with irresistible titles such as “Therapy for Pronoun Anxiety” and “Comma Sutra: The Joy of Punctuation”.

Sin and Syntax: How to Craft Wickedly Effective Prose by Constance Hale (Publisher: Broadway, Copyright: 2001)

Hale’s wonderful guide reveals how to use “unconventional syntax secrets” in creating beautiful and memorable prose. Taking examples from famous literary authorities such as Walt Whitman and George Orwell, Hale shows that sometimes even the best writers have to learn the rules so that they can break them.

Grammar Girl’s Quick & Dirty Tips for Better Writing by--our very own celebrity writer--Mignon Fogarty (Publisher: Henry Holt and Company, Copyright: 2008)

The adventures of Grammar Girl, Mignon Fogarty’s grammatically superior alter ego, began as a weekly pod cast explaining quick and dirty tricks for remembering and avoiding common grammatical errors. Thanks to this book, communicators everywhere can learn easy ways to “recall and apply those troublesome grammar rules”. <quickanddirtytips.com/static/book.html>

A Grammar Book for You and I…oops, Me! by C. Edward Good (Publisher: Capital Books, Copyright: 2002)

Promising to provide readers and writers with “All the Grammar You Need to Succeed in Life” this book doubles as a reference guide and an all around enjoyable read with a detailed table of contents and index to help you easily lookup the rules you are searching to find.

These fun, creative and witty books are a surefire way to learn a thing or two about the complexities of grammar and have a good laugh while you’re at it. Happy writing!

To learn more about great books every writer should own, check out Belinda Witzenhausen’s article here on Suite101.com

Posted by Lima Al-Azzeh

Though the web supplies “free content” a writer’s words and ideas are exclusively their intellectual property. It is essential that writers understand the importance of protecting their work from being copied and credited to somebody else. Here are some free websites that may help you check to see if your work has been plagiarized.

Article Checker

This site allows the writer to copy the body of work into a text box and then choose what sites or what URLs the writer would like searched (this can include search engines such as Google, or if a writer suspects a particular site of copying their work, the writer can input that particular URL.) Finally, AC asks that a writer verify the check by inputting a code then running the search.

Crossrefme.net

An extremely easy to use tool powered by plagiarism.org. All the writer needs to do is copy and paste the text into the text box and click submit.

Duplichecker.com

This site is as easy to use as the last, but it offers a writer the chance to be a little more specific. Writers can choose to run a search “with quotes” or “without quotes”. Furthermore, duplicheck allows the writer to search the text against three separate search engines (Google, Yahoo and MSN) thus ensuring the maximum coverage and protection.

What to do if you spot a copycat:

Contact the website or the web provider and request the removal of the content from their site. Believe it or not, most people don’t even realize that the work has been plagiarized and would rather avoid the hassle of legal troubles, thus they will probably gladly remove the information.

If the problem persists, call for back up. Doublecheck the copyright policies of your publisher and/or the website you write for to inform yourself of your rights. Oftentimes either a publisher will act on your behalf (after all they have a stake in your work as well) or the company will provide you with a standard “cease and desist”- type document to send to the offender. The mention of legal incrimination will serve as a major deterrent.

It may also work in a writer’s favour to use the above sites to see if some of your own writing is a copy. Accidental plagiarism is quite common, with so much information available it would be easy to mistake an idea or phrase as your own. Use the sites above to check that parts of your own work aren’t a copy of someone else’s. Protect your intellectual property and write safely.

Posted by Lima Al-Azzeh

Sunday September 28th 2008, a beautiful sunny day in Vancouver with a slight crisp in the air and the unmistakable buzz of excitement from book and magazine vendors setting up their tents for the annual Word on the Street: National Book and Magazine Festival.

Taking up three city blocks surrounding the enormous Vancouver Public Library, this year’s festival offered a great selection of books and magazines to be discovered and enjoyed by kids and adults alike. Suite101.com had a booth right in the thick of the action where we were able to spread the word on who we are and what we can offer writers, editors and curious readers.

Some highlights of this year’s festival included the annual “Book Bag Treasure Hunt” wherein a lucky 250 people lined up to purchase a $20 book bag that allowed them to search for vendors who offered free books and magazines to fill up their sack of treasures. It was a delight to see so many people, of all ages, scavenging around, ticking off lists and filling up their bag of goodies. The excitement was palpable and reminiscent of the kind of eager anticipation of Christmas morning or post trick-or-treat Halloween.

The “Stop-Look-Listen” mini-stages with live performances by various poets and short-story writers were equally thrilling. Among the enthusiastic performances was Michael J.P. Hall’s dramatic reading of his creative non-fiction story “Bukowski My Boilermaker”—a story that awarded him winner of SubTerrain Magazine’s “Lush Triumphant” contest.

Of great interest and enjoyment were the surreal art and illustrations of Kristian Adam. Perched in the middle of walking traffic, this artist had a show-stopping crowd parked on the sidewalk watching as he painted beautiful and enigmatic pictures. The appearance of such an artist proved that coordinators of Word on the Street understand that the passion of art and creativity has many mediums.

This year’s festival was certainly driven by a powerful desire to spread the importance of literacy to book and magazine lovers of all ages; and as always, it is an honour to be a part of an event that seeks to reveal the power and beauty of the written word.

Posted by Lima Al-Azzeh

Self-editing calls for a writer to review their own work through fresh eyes, a difficult endeavour particularly if you have spent quite a bit of time finessing your article. Here are some tips on how to perform your editing process.

Begin by writing freely without editing. This will ensure that you get all your best ideas out. Make sure to take a break after you are done writing, whether for a few hours or even a whole day. Give yourself some time to switch from a creative headspace to an analytical, editing one.

Your first round of edits should be substantive. Look for issues regarding the overall flow of the article. Do your paragraphs flow in a logical way? If your article includes a list in point form, do you need to prioritize that list? Does it need to be in some kind of order?

The next stage is the stylistic edit, alternatively called a line edit. This involves looking at your piece on a sentence- by-sentence level. Do you have any run-on sentences? Are there any sentences that are too long or too wordy? Are you using the correct agreements? Is each sentence conveying your intended meaning?

With all the larger issues out of the way, you are now free to copyedit your work. This is where you would look at the details. Run the spell check and the grammar check and correct any usage issues that your work may have.

In the publishing world the next phase of edits would be called typesetting. Here you would look at extra-textual elements and the overall format of your piece. Did you forget to break up some paragraphs? Do you need to set anything in bold font? Are you missing any subheadings?

Proofreading your work once you’ve run through all the edits is an absolute must. This may seem excessive but you never know when you have missed something.

Also, keep in mind what your pet problems are; these could be habits like repeating phrases, misspelling words, or even leaving unfinished sentences. Being aware of what your habits are can help you know what to watch for in your own work. Finally, always have a grammar guide and style guide handy in case you have any questions or doubts. Sometimes the best editing advice will be right under your nose!

Posted by Marci Hotsenpiller

Posted by Lima Al-Azzeh

The iPod has certainly changed the way music lovers enjoy their passion, and as newer versions are released it seems that Apple is expanding this to video lovers as well. The question that remains is will Apple attempt to explore the market of digital books?

While some wireless reading devices have indeed been released with much interest, namely Amazon Kindle and Sony ebook Reader, it is difficult to find sales stats that prove that these devices are truly reshaping the future of books. Each device boasts new technologies that will supposedly enhance the reader’s experience of the book: the most popular advent being the use of electronic-paper display that mimics the look and feel of real paper, thus enabling easy readability. But with each device being priced at around $300, consumers may well find it simpler to just buy or borrow an actual book.

So, why does Apple have a greater opportunity to succeed with digital books? As Peter Kafka, Managing Editor of Silicon Alley Insider, remarks the reason why iPod changed the music industry is because “iPod improved the way you listened to music,” thus Apple was able to corner the market on mp3 players by creating applications, like iTunes, that made it easier for music lovers to buy, share, and ultimately enjoy their music. Currently, there seems to be no easy way to download books onto your iPod; however some sites, like ebookhood.com, do tell iPod loyalists how to convert ebook texts into notes and subsequently download those notes straight onto your iPod. Yet, for those who are less technically inclined, this may prove to be a daunting task.

All in all, if Apple were to apply the same principles to the digitalization of books as they did to music, they would undoubtedly meet with great success.

Posted by Lima Al-Azzeh

It used to be that employers simply used the reference list provided by an applicant to investigate whether that person was a good candidate for the position; but with the wide availability of social networking sites, some savvy employers have settled on searching an applicant’s online profile to find their answers. But what are the implications of using the web in this new form of pre-employment vetting?

Rosemary Haefner, spokeswoman for Carrerbuilder.com, has been quoted as saying that this type of search may aid an employer in getting a “more well-rounded view of job candidates in terms of their skills [and] accomplishments”. However, these sites may also provide the employer with a lot more information that is, quite definitely, none of their business; information such as a person’s sexual orientation or religion. With so much information being made available over the web, employers must be cautious of the implications this potentially raises in terms of discrimination and data protection issues.

Some other questions that could even arise have to do with whether a person’s lifestyle choices are being unfairly called into question. Perhaps an applicant’s profile shows their use of alcohol or drugs on the weekends or spare time outside of work, which naturally may be a deterrent to any employer. Yet, if an applicant’s choice of weekend activities in no way interferes with their level of productivity at the workplace, then that person was unfairly discriminated against before they have even had a chance to prove themselves at the job.

Yes, an applicant could avoid these potential issues by ensuring that their profile settings are made private, and perhaps that is a precaution that internet users need to be more diligent at considering, but a social networking site is assumed to be a place to make friends and meet people whether or not that has to do with the workplace. It seems that it would be far better for employers and recruiters to steer clear of using the internet as a new wave reference check.

Posted by Lima Al-Azzeh

Even some of the most seasoned writers can fall victim to the simplest mistakes. To maximize time and efficiency make sure to double check your own work before sending it to your editor, thus leaving them free to edit major mistakes; not just auto-correcting simple ones. Here are some things Suite 101’s Irene Taylor asks you to look out for!

Punctuation

1. Random capitals –Don’t use capitals to emphasize words.

2. Use the "n-dash" with spaces on either side.

3. Use double quotes - not single quotes.

4. Be aware of pronoun agreement issues. Singular nouns need singular pronouns and vice versa. Example: "Every person has their own opinion" is incorrect as “person” is singular and “their” is plural, thus the agreement issue. Instead, this should read: "Every person has his own opinion" or "People have their own opinions". This is a common error and one to watch out for.

Keywords and Keyword phrases

1. Keyworded subheadings - be sure that subheadings are well keyworded. Search engines scan for keywords from the top down, so it’s best to place emphasis on keywords in the early parts of the article.

2. You can use more than 6 keyword phrases - up to 10-12 is fine, in fact the more specific your keyword phrases, the easier it is for search engines to pull up your article.

3. Be sure that you are drawing your most important keyword phrases from the title, subtitle, lead fields. Don't call the article "Manage Classroom Files and Folders" and then have "strategic planning" as your first keyword phrase. In other words, use words that appear frequently throughout your article to inform your keyword phrase choices.

4. Don't use little words in keyword phrases. Words and articles like "a" "the" "and" "or" etc. aren't read by Google and are wasted space and effort.

5. Always use Bold Title Case Subheadings - that is a must!

6. Do not start the body of the article with a subheading.

Citations

1. Cite sources properly. You cannot state that "studies show..." or "over 95% of boys like ice cream..." without providing the source for the information. If you are referring to any information like that - you must give the full citation for it.

These are just a few examples of things to watch out for. If you are ever unsure of your work be sure to consult the handbook or style guide provided by your editors/publishers!

Posted by Lima Al-Azzeh

Here are some tips on how to unblock writer's block and where to find the inspiration you need for your next article.

Eavesdropping: Perhaps not the noblest means of getting inspiration, but it works nonetheless. Go out for a walk through the park or hunker down in a warm coffee shop with a steaming cup of cappuccino and simply let the conversations flow around you. What better way is there to find out what everyone is talking about?

Free Writing: Sometimes all a writer needs is to get those writer muscles flexed. Sit down with a pen and paper or your trusty laptop, whatever medium works for you, and just write, write, write. You may be surprised at what spills out of your head.

Follow the Google brick road: The wonders of the world wide web can help stimulate ideas. Enter a topical word into a Google search and keep clicking on links that may seem interesting. Most often you will come across some random article/ image/ video that would make a great discussion topic. Let your mouse be your guide, and search your way to your next great article.

Keep yourself informed: Yes, this may seem like an obvious thing to do but the news changes everyday. Read a magazine, a newspaper, or simply watch tv. With so much information going around you’re bound to be struck by an idea or two.

Kill Your Darlings: Killing your darlings doesn’t consist of an act of murder, it’s merely a way of letting go. This famous, often misattributed, quote stems from Sir Aruthur Quiller-Couch’s perception that oftentimes writers get stuck on a lofty turn of phrase or idea that they find particularly clever, but that in reality may not work for the story/ article as a whole. Be bold! Put the idea away for another time, another project, and move past it.

Do something entirely unrelated to writing: If the ideas aren’t flowing through your blood then relax. Maybe you just need a much-needed break. Put the pen down; step away from the computer! Do something simple that you enjoy: exercise, make yourself a snack, read a good book, or even take a nap. Nothing is worse than writing that sounds forced and rushed!

Posted by Lima Al-Azzeh

Though “Blogs” have typically been used as a log of personal commentary or have commonly taken the form of an online diary, they have recently surpassed these traditional notions and are fast becoming a writer’s best friend. Here are some ideas on how creating a blog can help to promote your work.

Creating a Portfolio

A blog can serve as an online portfolio wherein a writer can write professional articles and store them all in a convenient place. It may prove to be useful for employers who are seeking samples of a writer’s work, to just direct them to a professional looking site in which they may have access to numerous examples.

Forum for Feedback

“The blog is here to help you make the most of the web,” says blogging and internet marketing consultant: Chris Garrett. The nature of the blog as a means of communication can help any writer ask for insight or feedback on their work. Though some debates have arisen about the authenticity of comments writers could gain some valuable feedback from trusted and loyal readers or even fellow members of the writing community. After all, despite the changing nature of blogs and their multiple uses, they are still first and foremost a tool of social engagement and communication.

Increase Traffic to Your Site:

Link Building

You may want to consider joining or getting “tagged” on popular social bookmarking sites such as Digg or Del.icio.us-- now Delicious. This will allow your site to become a part of that great big blogosphere and hopefully will direct other bloggers to it. It may even inspire them to link their sites, or other similar sites, to your own, therefore advertising your work for you.

Widget What? -- A lesser known SEO trick.

A lesser-known SEO trick is to add “widgets” to promote and share your site with others. A “widget” is a graphic applet that can be added to a site and allows you to share and promote your site via other social networking agents such as Facebook or Myspace.

Posted by Marci Hotsenpiller

Maddalena Delli knows coffee. You would expect this from an Italian living in Florence. The neat thing is, she’s also an expert on coffee in other countries.

Posted by Aaron Park

The Smithsonian Archives of American Art in Washington, D.C. announced on August 29, 2008 its recent acquisition of vintage images by renowned arts photographer Jack Mitchell.

The 54 large-format photographs, a gift from Mitchell, are portraits of painters and sculptors taken between 1966 and 1977. Included are polished images of such notables as Red Grooms, Duane Hanson, Robert Indiana, Jasper Johns, Alex Katz, Roy Lichtenstein, Louise Nevelson, Claes Oldenburg, Nam June Paik, Philip Pearlstein, Beverly Pepper, Larry Rivers, James Rosenquist, George Segal, Andy Warhol and Tom Wesselmann.

Jack Mitchell (b. 1925) knew many of the visual arts, film and television personalities, musicians he photographed. His work has appeared in The New York Times, Harper's Bazaar, Life, Newsweek, People, Rolling Stone, Time, Vanity Fair and Vogue,among others. He is also known widely for his photographs of dance, having worked for the American Ballet Theater, the Alvin Alley American Dance Theater and other prestigious dance companies. Mitchell has exhibited his work widely in solo and group exhibitions in the United States and abroad for more than four decades. His images are in the collections of the Albright-Knox Museum, Andy Warhol Museum, Harvard University, the International Center of Photography and other institutions.

Posted by Aaron Park

Posted by Marci Hotsenpiller

One term that shows up in searches on Suite101 at this time of year is “back-to-school”. The new twist this year is that everyone seems to be going “green” at the same time.

Posted by Peter Berger

It's been a few weeks since Google launched their new Knol site, described by Silicon Alley Insider (and others) as a "Wikipedia killer."

To me Knol seems to be an easy-to-use tool, with a clean interface. It has the potential to be a competitor to sites that are free-for-alls in terms of writing and posting content (see above site, starts with W ends with A) but I have yet to see what new elements it adds to this category.

The bigger question for other sites that publish information and articles online is: should we be nervous? At Suite101 for example, we are able to pay our writers from the Google Ads that sit beside each article. When Google joins the party (as they did with the launch of Knol, where authors can choose to gather the revenue their posts make from Google Ads) it raises some questions.

Some commentators, such as Calacanis in this post, have made a fair point in suggesting that Google should clarify better what they are: do they want to be a publishers' partner or a competitor? They might even want to consider removing themselves from the publishing playing field to keep the trust of their partners.

For example, might Knol articles receive higher ranking in a Google search, compared to articles on the same topic on other publishing sites?

On the positive side, this presents opportunities for more professional sites to differentiate themselves, and in doing so, to build trust among readers. Right now Knol is open to all, even those who want to be anonymous or use pseudonyms. (For example, their "Verified" feature checks that a contributor exists via their credit card info, but not via their credentials.)

Requiring that writers be responsible and accountable has helped online publishers like Suite101, attract a loyal readership.

That’s been our strength – stewarding the unbiased creation of trusted content. Google's strength has been creating efficient search algorithms that help people find the content.

Helping people find information is one thing. Creating a trusted community online where writers share it with readers is another. Google is great at algorithms, we are great at working with qualified writers. And the 8 million monthly readers that keep coming back to Suite confirm that this makes a good online match: trusted advice powered by Google's trusted algorithms.

As a believer in the idea of sticking with "what you know best," it will be interesting to see where Knol goes.

Posted by Aaron Park

Posted by Marci Hotsenpiller

Claire Bolton thinks adults should take a “gap” year from their careers.

"Gap year has developed into more of a concept that a set amount of time. It could mean six months of just backpacking with your partner and not working, or it could involve a five year stint living in a new country with your family. There are also house swap opportunities that keep costs down."

Claire is an Education & Career writer on Suite101, and an experienced speech pathologist/speech-language therapist who has travelled and worked in Australia and the UK. Her first gap year was as a student ten years ago and involved working as an assistant music teacher at a prestigious girls' boarding school just out of London:

“It was the sister school to Eton College (where Prince William was) so it was a world away from what I was used to. I assisted on a music tour to Italy, a history trip to France (D-Day Landings) and supervised students on excursions to London theatres and museums. It was life-changing.”

Now, ten years later, Claire is on a “gap” again, this time working in the UK and catching up with the friends she made ten years ago. This time her year involves working as a speech and language therapist (between travelling).

I first heard the term "gap year" used by young Australians working at British Columbia ski resorts. Claire mentioned the tradition came from when British private boarding schools would offer accommodation/food in exchange for cheap labour from students in Australia and New Zealand:

"Upon recommendation from the Headmasters, the schools would swap one or two students, traditionally school captains or prefects. It used to be an "elite" thing to do and was associated with British students visiting "the colonies", and students from the colonies visiting Britain. These days however it's not as exclusive.”

Great for students but I like Claire’s twist on the concept: even adults in mid career can take a year off to travel the world and learn while they do. Read more here on Suite101.

--Marci

Posted by Aaron Park

Thomas Dolby is a pioneering musician and inventor, most famous for his 1982 hit single, "She Blinded Me With Science." An accomplished synth player and programmer, he has worked and played with artists from Def Leppard and Foreigner to David Bowie and Herbie Hancock. In the first part of the Create Digital Music interview, he discusses his work from the '80s to the present and the future, electronic music and electronics in pop music, and his own musical influences. The second part delves into technical details of his live performance where he plays all parts of songs using a Mac laptop and custom software. He also has a VJ mixing live footage from various cameras, including a head-mounted one, so the audience can watch as he constructs songs. Dolby maintains his own blog, mostly about his touring and new albums, on his website. His latest EP, "Live at SXSW," comes out next week and is a live set of Dolby and a brass section, the Jazz Mafia horns. His last released work was the DVD, "Live in Chicago," from a performance in May 2006.

Posted by Marci Hotsenpiller

I’m always seeking stories about who has the neatest commute. Here in Vancouver, we’re surrounded by ocean and a coastal mountain range so it’s conceivable that someone could ski, then bike ride, then kayak, then bus to work each day.

And though few people in Vancouver have an extreme commute, a lot of people look as if they could climb a mountain at a moment’s notice. Part of the commuter supply kit is a water bottle. Up until recently, when the government began working to ban plastics bottles that contain bisphenol A (bpa) in Canada, most people carried a plastic one.

Thankfully, Suite101 writer Bill Sassani gives us the facts in an article on polycarbonate-free water bottles that contain bpa.

Bill holds a Master's degree in Outdoor Education from the University of Northern Colorado and is a certified Wilderness First Responder from the Wilderness Medicine Institute of the National Outdoor Leadership School in Lander, Wyoming. (This school has branches in different states/countries like Alaska, Mexico, Chile, etc.)

With this kind of background I had to ask him about his own commute to the office:

“I write for Suite101 and my other job is field instructor for a wilderness therapy company in Utah, but I live in Denver, Colorado! It's about a seven hour drive, with lots of time spent on I-70. I generally drive and listen to NPR at the same time or stock up on old shows and music with my Ipod.

The transitions in terrain are cool, from plains to the mountains of Summit County and Eagle County, the Glenwood Canyon, the high desert of Grand Junction and eastern Utah, and ending up in northern Utah. I get a first-hand look at the pine beetle problem that's affecting the lodgepole pine in Colorado and killing the trees. Thankfully, I work eight days in the field, with six days off, so the car stays put for a while.”

With a commute like that, I’m guessing Bill must have a useful alternative to carrying water in bpa plastic bottles:

“Yes, I retired my cool looking multi-colored polycarbonate bottles for my old soft plastic white Nalgenes, which are made from #2 plastic and don't contain bpa.”

Posted by Marci Hotsenpiller

Would you describe yourself as an opera “buffa”?

Here on suite we definitely have an opera buff in our midst, in the form of writer Tel Asiado. Tel writes from her home base in Australia about opera, great writers, and classical composers on Suite101.com.

Her recent article on Mozart in the History of Operawas so compelling that the Washington Post mentioned it in their own article about Wolfgang Amadeus. How and where did Tel’s love affair with opera start? I decided to find out:

“Classical music (esp Mozart) with opera has been a lifelong passion. I would rather listen to classical music and opera than pop music. Speaking of opera, actually, it's not even Mozart but Bellini's Norma that initially hooked me (just listen to Callas's "Casta diva," and then Leoncavallo's I Pagliacci). Even as a young girl, I was deeply touched by the image of a clown who must laugh while his heart breaks. And yes, Mozart's Queen of the Night's famous aria in The Magic Flute, what a beautiful high F for the soprano. And also lots of arias in his three other best operas. Simply divine!

Perhaps all the emotions I found in my love for classical music and the opera can be explained by my being an only child... at day's end, solitary, pensive. True, all music can make an emotional impact, but to me opera, foremost, can demonstrate it as a language parallel to life itself - love, tragedy and passion."

“It maybe extreme but I see it as balancing my being. One challenges my intellect. I'm not only an IT professional but my education is science. The other nourishes my soul.”

(NOTE: Opera “buffa” refers to a style or genre of opera series. Others include “drama giocoso”, “opera seria”, and “singspiel” opera. To learn more about opera and classical music check out Tel Asiado’s other articles here on Suite101. )

-- Marci

Posted by Marci Hotsenpiller

Posted by Holly Pateman

Just as we’re getting used to the term Web 2.0, Web 3.0 is making its way to the front seat of many a conversation. So what exactly is Web 3.0? There is much debate about what the term Web 3.0 means today, and even more about what it will come to mean tomorrow.

According to Tim Berners-Lee, inventor of the World Wide Web, “…Web 3.0 is an overlay of scalable vector graphics on Web 2.0 with access to a Semantic Web that gives you access to an unbelievable data resource…”

And according to Eric Schmidt, CEO of Google, “…Web 3.0 will ultimately be seen as applications which are pieced together and can run on any device, PC or mobile phone. The applications are very fast and they’re very customizable. Furthermore, the applications are distributed virally: literally by social networks, by email…”

While there is both logic and prediction to what Web 3.0 will actually become, most leading professionals in the online world agree on 3 essential elements in the evolution of Web 3.0:

1. The Data Web - The Data Web is already in motion. Massive amounts of data are being published online every minute in reusable and remotely queryable formats such as XLM, RDF, Website Parse Template and Microformats. This data is ultimately building the architecture for a more advanced categorization that will dictate the way both humans and crawlers seek and retrieve information.
2. The Semantic Web/SOA - The Semantic Web, as it is coined today, is based partially on present data grouping capability and partially on yet to be implemented or realized machine reading and understanding capability. Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) allows different applications to exchange data with one another as they participate in business processes with the goal of coupling the services of operating systems, programming languages and applications. Together, the Semantic Web and SOA are envisioned to build a highly intelligent, multifunctional wired environment for sharing and retrieving information, both for humans and machines.
3. Ubiquitous Connectivity - As PC and CE (Consumer Electronics) technologies converge with video as the primary focus, traditional television viewing, computer usage and mobile phone usage are becoming interconnected, synonymous properties. With this convergence on the horizon, ubiquitous connectivity as it’s called, appears to be an obvious backbone in the emergence of Web 3.0.

So, as we approach the world of Web 3.0 with 4.0 and 5.0 undoubtedly not too far behind, businesses and users alike will be forced to align their technical architecture with the ever-developing algorithms and formats as dictated by both human and machine evolution.

Posted by Marci Hotsenpiller

Posted by Marci Hotsenpiller

There’s been a decidedly green theme here at BookExpo this year, with a range of educational sessions under the banner “Green Books for Greener Lifestyles.” Each session focused on ways in which the publishing world is raising their environmental consciousness. Whether it’s soy-based inks or committing to using paper from recycled sources, there seems to be momentum in this direction within the large publishing companies. Random House has recently completed an energy audit of their entire operations (from book delivery and operations to head offices), and newcomer in the business NetGalley is changing the way that review copies (or galley proofs) are being sent out to reviewers in digital format.

On the content side publishers such as HarperCollins have some interesting green titles coming out this fall. One of the more curious choices is “The Green Bible” coming out from HarperOne in San Francisco. Apparently it’s a standard bible but filled with lots of new info added as prologue and epilogue to the standard text, such as comment from Bishop Desmond Tutu and others. Apparently sections of the text related to green living will be highlighted throughout in green soy-based inks!

For writers, the trend is hot now, but publishers are still looking for green-themed books that expand the category by linking to other themes. Think green living linked to animal rights, or to childcare and teens, or even linked to pets!

Mark Tauber, Deputy Publisher at HarperOne perhaps put it best as a panel member of the session “Buying, Packaging and Publishing Green Books: The Publishers’ Perspective” when he pointed out that green is in fact an old idea that is suddenly new again. “Al Gore changed everything. “An Inconvenient Truth” changed things for the book industry.” How long will the appetite for these books last? I asked Tauber for his thoughts: “We’re waiting to see if it’s like the yoga craze. It turned out that people like to do yoga, but it doesn’t mean they like to read about it.”

-- Marci

Posted by Marci Hotsenpiller

Here at BookExpo there is action in the trade show aisles with book publishers, agents and authors working the floor and there are also a range of great education seminars. But the real excitement in the crowd is definitely focused on the celebrity writers who appear to promote their latest work. Heads turn and crowds form here during the signing sessions. Yesterday it was Brooke Shields signing her new baby book, and Slash from the Guns and Roses that drew crowds (along with Neil Gaiman, Joan Collins, Cheech Marin, Diahann Carroll, and Judy Blume).

Who has been the biggest draw? Salman Rushdie by far. Tickets for his autographing session this morning were all snatched up before 10amand the lineups for his table stretched to 200 metres long. Is it the chance for a brush with fame or simply the extra value that a signed copy can demand with book lovers and collectors? Either way it’s sweet way to build an interesting library with a twist.

-- Marci