Articles written by Stan Grimes

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About me - Stan Grimes

I am a graduate of Indiana University. During daylight hours I am a mild mannered social worker. In the dark of night my fangs come out and I write, and write some more. I am a writer of science fiction and suspense. Much of my work can be viewed at http://stansplace.4t.com

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Education > Adult Education Word of advice for going back to school at an older age: 1 of 5
While sitting in an English Composition class waiting for the professor, the kid next to me said, "Why are you going to school? You're pretty old?" I laughed and said, "I'm here for the same damn reason you're here, trying to get my degree." He looked at me in amazement and smiled. I smiled back. I aced the class. He didn't. ... More..
Arts & Humanities > Citizen Journalism Citizen journalism and the opportunities offered to freelance writers: 2 of 8
Everyday citizens often want to speak out to the world. That's right, many wannabe writers live right next door to you, or maybe it's you. Maybe you want to tell those so-and-so's in Washington D.C. what you really think of them. Or, just maybe you would like to write a letter to the CEO of some "evil empire" corporation. Las... More..
Computers & Technology > Software (Other) Assessing the need for free software: 1 of 4
Since joining the Internet world in 1998 I have searched through many of the millions of resources available at the touch of a mouse or a keyboard. One resource that I never get tired of using is the use-net group, alt.comp.freeware. I have found it to be quite useful in locating free software available that performs the same... More..
Arts & Humanities > Marketing & Selling Writing Promoting and marketing your writing: 4 of 15
Books do not sell themselves. Sorry. Today's new authors must know how to multi-task. That is, they must learn how to market what they have written. Not an easy task you say. You are absolutely right. After all writers are in tune with putting their thoughts on paper and writing a story someone will readthey hope. However, wi... More..
Home & Garden > Home & Garden (Other) Tips for a successful garage sale: 12 of 36
Having a yard sale is a marvelous experience. The saying "one man's junk is another man's treasure" is quite true. Last year my wife and her sister prepared our garage for the event of the season. They dug at the bowels of our attic, our garage, and our basement, and low and behold, we had a selection that would put Wal-mart ... More..
Arts & Humanities > Marketing & Selling Writing Avoiding publishing pitfalls: 2 of 6
Do not pay to publish your poetry. Let me explain some pitfalls. Anthologies. Many anthologies will publish your poetry no matter how good or lousy it happens to be as long as you pay them "up front" to publish it. I sheepishly admit that I have fallen victim to the anthology scam. I wrote what I thought to be a marvelous poe... More..
Relationships & Family > Crisis Support (Other) Advice on emergency preparedness: 8 of 23
Most folks think of emergency preparedness in terms of saving extra food, blankets, water, emergency kits, and many more necessities. However, when I think of being prepared I think of only one item...the pocketknife.Of course the commercial we all have seen on the television screen is the American Express commercial emphatic... More..
Arts & Humanities > Writing for Success How to keep writing despite rejection: 12 of 23
How do you handle rejection? No, not rejection by your spouse or your family, but rejection from publishers, not easy is it? It's easy for writers to take rejection personal like someone just slapped you in the face. It hurts for a while, but the pain eventually goes away. After all, you have spent hours, days, and maybe week... More..
Computers & Technology > Consumer Electronics (Other) Awesome electronic gifts that will be used throughout the year: 8 of 14
You don't have a flash drive yet? Wow, you probably need one especially if you are an active computer user or if your job requires computer work and "take home" work. It's one of the greatest gadgets ever made by the computer periphery industry. There are some who have no clue what a flash drive is, but to those savvy compute... More..
Arts & Humanities > Writing Tips Poetry: How to write a Haiku poem: 6 of 10
Interested in Haiku? Think you've got the stamina for it? Haiku finds its genesis in late nineteenth century Japan. The haiku style is derived from hokku. Hokku translated means "starting verse." It would take much more space and available time than I currently have to explain the various terms related to Haiku poetry. Suffic... More..