Articles written by Mel Bergen - Page 2

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About me - Mel Bergen

I began writing for the web in January, 2007, although I have been writing for myself since I could hold a pencil. I've finally discovered the joys of not only getting my work read (and getting paid for my efforts) but receiving feedback from readers so that

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Arts & Humanities > Writing & Rating at Helium How technical errors in articles affect raters' views: 5 of 33
Rating articles at Helium is an onerous but necessary task. When you rate, you must decide which article provides more value to potential readers. Look at things like grammar, spelling, and punctuation to make that choice easier.Consider being faced with the following pair. One article is coherent, contains only one or two mi... More..
Parenting & Pregnancy > After School The choice not to pursue extracurricular activities for kids: 2 of 12
Many children are scheduled into so many structured activities these days. When you wander around your neighborhood you rarely see children just playing around. There is generally an adult or two standing over a group of kids telling them what to do, and how, and when. The little ones are not allowed to make up rules or to ch... More..
Relationships & Family > Dating Psychology Should the man or the woman pay?: 2 of 12
There is no hard-and-fast rule about whether a male or female should pay for things. Women can easily have as much money as men, if not more, and you could end up looking like a complete chauvinist or a gold-digger by assuming differently. It is always safest to be prepared for the worst, bringing enough money not only to pay... More..
Entertainment > Movie Remakes & Adaptations Evaluating the book to film adaptation of The Princess Bride: 2 of 12
The Princess Bride was an amazing movie that has become a cult classic. The same can be said for the book by William Goldman. How true was the screen adaptation to the original story?Considering the fact that the book is (fictionally) "the good parts" of a longer and quite dull story by S. Morgenstern, the film does very well... More..
Computers & Technology > MP3 Players What to consider when buying a new MP3 player: 4 of 23
Consumers are faced with a dizzying array of options when purchasing an mp3 player. These choices break down into a few basic categories. Consider how you intend to use a music player before you buy one and you will be much happier with your purchase.How Big?You can find out the minimum mp3 player size that you need simply by... More..
Hobbies & Games > Kids Games & Toys Game reviews: Battleship: 2 of 10
Since early childhood, my husband and I were both fans of the game Battleship. We still have his game set from 20 years ago and my children are learning to appreciate its subtleties. It's good to see little ones enjoying something that required neither mouse nor batteries!The appeal of basic Battleship, without the lights and... More..
Arts & Humanities > Arts & Humanities (Other) Explaining the fascination with classic mythology: 1 of 5
Classic Greek and Roman mythology has all of the elements of today's most popular movies and television shows: drama, humor, suspense, violence, magic, and - of course sex, all in huge doses. There was a god or goddess to whom you could appeal for just about any occasion, including wild, drunken orgies (Bacchus) and herding g... More..
Food & Drink > Cooking (Other) How to make cooking a fun family activity: 9 of 37
While your four-year-old can't wield a butcher knife, you can find dozens of ways for your children to have fun helping you in the kitchen. Cooking together teaches your kids about reading recipes, measuring and math, even a little chemistry. It also offers a way to play and connect with your children.Kitchen tools for food p... More..
Entertainment > Music Reviews (Other) Compilations: Same old songs?: 1 of 4
Purchasing compilation discs is an excellent way to build your music collection, especially when you are looking for a variety of songs from a specific period or genre in which you are lacking. You can get a good sample of the style and sound without investing in dozens of albums with one or two great songs each. There are a ... More..
Health & Fitness > Exercise & Weight Loss What you need to know when shopping for exercise bands: 1 of 4
Resistance bands are the most versatile and convenient type of exercise equipment available. You can work everything from your biceps to your behind, and you can pack them in an overnight bag and work out wherever you go.When shopping for resistance bands, check their length. You should choose bands within eight inches of you... More..