Early British Kingdoms

Hello Readers,

The history of early British Kingdoms is quite fascinating. I have focused some of my research this month on St. Patrick's Day. I discovered an interesting website that features a timeline during St. Patrick's lifetime.

c.423 - Birth of St. Patrick in Banna Venta Burniae, thought to be near Birdoswald. Click here to read the entire timeline and who was who during this period in history.

The Romans took up residence and ruled in Britain during her early history. When the Romans left others groups were waiting in the wings to take over.

Unsurprisingly, barbarian invaders, such as the Picts and Scots, are already clamouring at the borders, and the beleaguered Britons turn to a variety of Germanic tribes for 'protection'. From 449AD, the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes begin to arrive and aggressively set up home. Many native Britons take to their heels and retreat west to Cornwall, Wales and Cumbria. Click here to learn more. This website is full of interesting history.

I hope you have enjoyed our March history lessons on St. Patrick and what England and Ireland were like during that time period.

Donna

March Contest Winner

Thanks to all who participated in my March blog contest.

The winning entry was sent in by Mrs. Andree.

Title: The Fifth Man

Police detective Michael Groves never fails. His impeccable record underscores his expertise in his field. The present case is down to the last man when events beyond his control force him to go against all his law enforcement intelligence. Can he give into his emotions and still fulfill his duty?

Honorable mention goes to  Writers and Readers.

Congratulations. Would both of you please contact me so I can send you your prizes.

Thanks,

Donna

Louis Brandeis

Hello Readers,

Louis Brandeis is an interesting contributor to history. As a lawyer and judge, he worked hard to uphold the Constitution and was a proponent for fair labor laws. It is an interesting read and I hope you enjoy it.

As a successful lawyer and supporter of reform movements of the period, Louis Brandeis argued important public-interest and labor-reform cases and later became one of the most celebrated Justices in the history of the Supreme Court. Click here to read more.

 

Donna

 

 

Compiling A Resume

Hi,

It is important to keep track of your writing projects. As a freelance writer, compiling a resume is a given. If we do so, we will have at our disposal every project we have written. Perhaps you like to keep a master copy of your writing resume and list every project you have done. Then when you need a specific resume, you can copy and paste from the master resume and have a current document in a short amount of time.

Today we will focus on keeping a resume because I think it is important.



A common question newbie freelancers have is: what kind of resume should I give a potential client? Unlike a traditional corporate letter, a writing resume is usually arranged to highlight subject area rather than years on a certain job. Many freelance writing ads request a certain type of response, and writers need to follow this request to the letter in order to be considered. Click here to read the rest of the article.

Donna

March Contest Last Day

I am having another contest here at HiStoryThruTheAges.

Last Day

Here are the rules.

Please come up with a title for this story starter and a 50 word elevator pitch.
Leave your title and 50 word elevator pitch in the comments section.
The contest runs from March 17, 2013 to March 23, 2013 at midnight. With the winner announced on March 24, 2013. The prize is a $10 gift card to Starbucks.

Here is the story starter:

Michael Groves, a police detective, is looking for the fifth man of a five-man bank robbery gang. All the rest are behind bars, awaiting trial, but they won’t give up the fifth man. While Michael is at work, the bank robber kidnaps Michael’s wife, Sadie.

Michael is put on a leave of absence because of his emotional connection to the case, and spends every waking moment searching for his wife.

Michael tracks the bank robber and Sadie to a small airport and stows away on a Piper Cub the robber is using to escape the jurisdiction. Just feet away, Sadie is tied and gagged. Michael sneaks forward after take-off and struggles with the robber/pilot, and the plane crashes, stranding the three of them in the mountains. The robber/pilot/kidnapper breaks a leg, and Michael wants to leave him there in order to save his wife, until he discovers the robber/kidnapper is his wife’s half-brother, who was given up for adoption before Sadie’s parents married. She feels guilty at how well her life turned out, and out of love for his wife, Michael decides to try to save the three of them.

Have fun,
Donna

Good Writers Blogs to Follow

Hello,

From time to time, I look for different writers blogs for research, encouragement, and ideas. I recently came across this list. I hope you hop on over to the site and read the blogs to see if they are something you would be interested in.


 

Looking for some fresh inspiration for your writing?

We know the feeling. Everyone needs inspiration. There are thousands of blogs dedicated to providing authors with inspiration and encouragement. But how do you know who to follow? CLICK HERE TOREAD THE REST OF THE ARTICLE.

Donna

 

March Contest Day Six

I am having another contest here at HiStoryThruTheAges.

Day Six

Here are the rules.

Please come up with a title for this story starter and a 50 word elevator pitch.
Leave your title and 50 word elevator pitch in the comments section.
The contest runs from March 17, 2013 to March 23, 2013 at midnight. With the winner announced on March 24, 2013. The prize is a $10 gift card to Starbucks.

Here is the story starter:

Michael Groves, a police detective, is looking for the fifth man of a five-man bank robbery gang. All the rest are behind bars, awaiting trial, but they won’t give up the fifth man. While Michael is at work, the bank robber kidnaps Michael’s wife, Sadie.

Michael is put on a leave of absence because of his emotional connection to the case, and spends every waking moment searching for his wife.

Michael tracks the bank robber and Sadie to a small airport and stows away on a Piper Cub the robber is using to escape the jurisdiction. Just feet away, Sadie is tied and gagged. Michael sneaks forward after take-off and struggles with the robber/pilot, and the plane crashes, stranding the three of them in the mountains. The robber/pilot/kidnapper breaks a leg, and Michael wants to leave him there in order to save his wife, until he discovers the robber/kidnapper is his wife’s half-brother, who was given up for adoption before Sadie’s parents married. She feels guilty at how well her life turned out, and out of love for his wife, Michael decides to try to save the three of them.

Have fun,
Donna

March Contest Day Five

I am having another contest here at HiStoryThruTheAges.

Day Five

Here are the rules.

Please come up with a title for this story starter and a 50 word elevator pitch.
Leave your title and 50 word elevator pitch in the comments section.
The contest runs from March 17, 2013 to March 23, 2013 at midnight. With the winner announced on March 24, 2013. The prize is a $10 gift card to Starbucks.

Here is the story starter:

Michael Groves, a police detective, is looking for the fifth man of a five-man bank robbery gang. All the rest are behind bars, awaiting trial, but they won’t give up the fifth man. While Michael is at work, the bank robber kidnaps Michael’s wife, Sadie.

Michael is put on a leave of absence because of his emotional connection to the case, and spends every waking moment searching for his wife.

Michael tracks the bank robber and Sadie to a small airport and stows away on a Piper Cub the robber is using to escape the jurisdiction. Just feet away, Sadie is tied and gagged. Michael sneaks forward after take-off and struggles with the robber/pilot, and the plane crashes, stranding the three of them in the mountains. The robber/pilot/kidnapper breaks a leg, and Michael wants to leave him there in order to save his wife, until he discovers the robber/kidnapper is his wife’s half-brother, who was given up for adoption before Sadie’s parents married. She feels guilty at how well her life turned out, and out of love for his wife, Michael decides to try to save the three of them.

Have fun,
Donna

Irish Surprise

Hi,

In honor of St. Patrick's Day this month and my blog contest,  I thought you might enjoy this fun video.

Click here to view.


I found this video on the history of St. Patrick informative. Click here.

Don't forget my blog contest is running this week.

Donna

March Contest Day Four

I am having another contest here at HiStoryThruTheAges.

Day Four

Here are the rules.

Please come up with a title for this story starter and a 50 word elevator pitch.
Leave your title and 50 word elevator pitch in the comments section.
The contest runs from March 17, 2013 to March 23, 2013 at midnight. With the winner announced on March 24, 2013. The prize is a $10 gift card to Starbucks.


Here is the story starter:

Michael Groves, a police detective, is looking for the fifth man of a five-man bank robbery gang. All the rest are behind bars, awaiting trial, but they won’t give up the fifth man. While Michael is at work, the bank robber kidnaps Michael’s wife, Sadie.

Michael is put on a leave of absence because of his emotional connection to the case, and spends every waking moment searching for his wife.

Michael tracks the bank robber and Sadie to a small airport and stows away on a Piper Cub the robber is using to escape the jurisdiction. Just feet away, Sadie is tied and gagged. Michael sneaks forward after take-off and struggles with the robber/pilot, and the plane crashes, stranding the three of them in the mountains. The robber/pilot/kidnapper breaks a leg, and Michael wants to leave him there in order to save his wife, until he discovers the robber/kidnapper is his wife’s half-brother, who was given up for adoption before Sadie’s parents married. She feels guilty at how well her life turned out, and out of love for his wife, Michael decides to try to save the three of them.

Have fun,
Donna

March Contest Day Three

I am having another contest here at HiStoryThruTheAges.

Day Three

Here are the rules.

Please come up with a title for this story starter and a 50 word elevator pitch.
Leave your title and 50 word elevator pitch in the comments section.
The contest runs from March 17, 2013 to March 23, 2013 at midnight. With the winner announced on March 24, 2013. The prize is a $10 gift card to Starbucks.


Here is the story starter:

Michael Groves, a police detective, is looking for the fifth man of a five-man bank robbery gang. All the rest are behind bars, awaiting trial, but they won’t give up the fifth man. While Michael is at work, the bank robber kidnaps Michael’s wife, Sadie.

Michael is put on a leave of absence because of his emotional connection to the case, and spends every waking moment searching for his wife.

Michael tracks the bank robber and Sadie to a small airport and stows away on a Piper Cub the robber is using to escape the jurisdiction. Just feet away, Sadie is tied and gagged. Michael sneaks forward after take-off and struggles with the robber/pilot, and the plane crashes, stranding the three of them in the mountains. The robber/pilot/kidnapper breaks a leg, and Michael wants to leave him there in order to save his wife, until he discovers the robber/kidnapper is his wife’s half-brother, who was given up for adoption before Sadie’s parents married. She feels guilty at how well her life turned out, and out of love for his wife, Michael decides to try to save the three of them.

Have fun,
Donna

March Contest Day Two

I am having another contest here at HiStoryThruTheAges.

Day Two

Here are the rules.

Please come up with a title for this story starter and a 50 word elevator pitch.
Leave your title and 50 word elevator pitch in the comments section.
The contest runs from March 17, 2013 to March 23, 2013 at midnight. With the winner announced on March 24, 2013. The prize is a $10 gift card to Starbucks.


Here is the story starter:

Michael Groves, a police detective, is looking for the fifth man of a five-man bank robbery gang. All the rest are behind bars, awaiting trial, but they won’t give up the fifth man. While Michael is at work, the bank robber kidnaps Michael’s wife, Sadie.

Michael is put on a leave of absence because of his emotional connection to the case, and spends every waking moment searching for his wife.

Michael tracks the bank robber and Sadie to a small airport and stows away on a Piper Cub the robber is using to escape the jurisdiction. Just feet away, Sadie is tied and gagged. Michael sneaks forward after take-off and struggles with the robber/pilot, and the plane crashes, stranding the three of them in the mountains. The robber/pilot/kidnapper breaks a leg, and Michael wants to leave him there in order to save his wife, until he discovers the robber/kidnapper is his wife’s half-brother, who was given up for adoption before Sadie’s parents married. She feels guilty at how well her life turned out, and out of love for his wife, Michael decides to try to save the three of them.

Have fun,
Donna

St. Patricks's Day

Hello Readers,

Since today is St. Patrick's Day, I thought we would learn a little bit about the history of the day and why it is important.



Patrick's birthname was Maewyn. He was born in Roman Britain. He was kidnapped into slavery and brought to Ireland.
He escapted to a monastery in Gaul (France) and converted to Christianity. He went back to Ireland in 432 as a missionary. While Christianity had already taken hold in the country, tradition has it that Patrick confronted the Druids at Tara and abolished their pagan rites, making Christianity more widespread. Click here to learn more.

The video on this page is very interesting. It is worth the watch.

I am running a contest this week so stayed tuned for the details.

Donna

March Contest Day One

I am having another contest here at HiStoryThruTheAges.

Here are the rules.

Please come up with a title for this story starter and a 50 word elevator pitch.
Leave your title and 50 word elevator pitch in the comments section.
The contest runs from March 17, 2013 to March 23, 2013 at midnight. With the winner announced on

Here is the story starter:

Michael Groves, a police detective, is looking for the fifth man of a five-man bank robbery gang. All the rest are behind bars, awaiting trial, but they won’t give up the fifth man. While Michael is at work, the bank robber kidnaps Michael’s wife, Sadie.

Michael is put on a leave of absence because of his emotional connection to the case, and spends every waking moment searching for his wife.

Michael tracks the bank robber and Sadie to a small airport and stows away on a Piper Cub the robber is using to escape the jurisdiction. Just feet away, Sadie is tied and gagged. Michael sneaks forward after take-off and struggles with the robber/pilot, and the plane crashes, stranding the three of them in the mountains. The robber/pilot/kidnapper breaks a leg, and Michael wants to leave him there in order to save his wife, until he discovers the robber/kidnapper is his wife’s half-brother, who was given up for adoption before Sadie’s parents married. She feels guilty at how well her life turned out, and out of love for his wife, Michael decides to try to save the three of them.

Have fun,
Donna

History of St. Patrick's Day

Hello,

Since St. Patrick's day is upon us, I thought it would be fun to learn a little bit about this holiday and why we celebrate it.


St. Patrick's Day is celebrated on March 17, the saint's religious feast day and the anniversary of his death in the fifth century. The Irish have observed this day as a religious holiday for over 1,000 years. On St. Patrick's Day, which falls during the Christian season of Lent, Irish families would traditionally attend church in the morning and celebrate in the afternoon. Lenten prohibitions against the consumption of meat were waived and people would dance, drink and feast--on the traditional meal of Irish bacon and cabbage. Click here to read the rest of this interesting article.

Donna

Louise Marion Bosworth

Dear Readers,

Louise Marion Bosworth was a writer and avid worker for social reform. She helped women learn how to manage their personal finances. Today's post is an interesting read. Enjoy.

Louise Marion Bosworth grew up in Elgin, Illinois. After attending Elgin Academy she studied at Dana Hall School in Wellesley, Massachusetts (1900–1901), and at Mountain Seminary in Birmingham, Pennsylvania (1901–1902). She entered Wellesley College in 1902, where she became president of the Philosophy Club, a house president, and manager of the senior play. After graduating in 1907 she moved to Boston, where she began a research fellowship at the Women’s Educational and Industrial Union (WEIU). Click hereto read more.

Donna

 

 

Elizabeth Blackwell

Hello Readers,

I read a book about Elizabeth Blackwell many years ago. It was fascinating. She was a woman of many accomplishments and saved many lives. Today's featured article is about her.


Elizabeth Blackwell, born in Britain, was the first woman in the United States to be awarded the MD degree. Many 19th-century physicians, including a few women, practiced without a degree, but Elizabeth Blackwell wished to attain full professional status. She was rejected by all the major medical schools in the nation because of her gender. Her application to Geneva Medical School (now Hobart & William Smith Colleges in Geneva, New York) was referred to the student body. They accepted her with great hilarity in the belief that it was a spoof perpetrated by a rival school. Click here to read the rest of the article.

Donna

White House Renovation

Hello,

During the 1940's part of the White House underwent extensive renovations. It was important to keep it from collapsing.

I hope you enjoy the pictures as much as I did. Click here to learn more.

Donna

Revisions

Revisions

I am the featured author on The Inkwell.

I recently read an article about revisions that said some authors
do 15 drafts and still find things to change after their book is published.
Fifteen drafts? Get a life. At least, that was my initial
response.
But when I consider my writing and revision process, perhaps 15
– as outlandish as that sounds — is realistic.Click here to read the rest of the article.


Donna

Overused Words

Overused Words

By Donna Schlachter

 

What are overused words? They are those words we grab when we don’t want to stop and think through the scene long enough to choose the exactly correct word. They are the words that leap from our fingers onto the keyboard. And we all know how we feel about every single word we write—we love them. We don’t want to delete a single one of them.

            But seriously, overused words will drive an editor to toss your submission in the slush pile. A discerning reader will roll his/her eyes at the excessive use of words or phrases. And both may well end up putting your book aside for some other. And that’s the last thing we want.

Because these overused words are the first we grasp on to, they tend to weaken your writing.           Particularly worrisome are weak verbs and passive voice. A weak verb is one that tells us what is happening but doesn’t show us. So, for example, “He walked across the road” Would be better written as, “He stumbled across the road”. “Walked” would be considered an overused word.

            Another example is use of the passive voice, where the object of the sentence is not being acted on by the verb: He was running across the field. A more active way to say this would be: He raced across the field.

            Often, as writers, we latch onto various words and phrases because we like the sound of the words, and then we use them over and over. One of my pet phrases is “The last thing she needed”. While this may be a true statement, using that phrase more than once or even twice in a book will stand out to the editor and reader as amateur writing.

            Another set of overused words are see/saw/look/watch/heard/knew/thought. If we are in deep POV, we already see and hear and know everything our POV character sees and hears and knows, so we don’t need to tell the reader that the character is seeing and hearing and knowing. Take for example, “The door opened” is much more powerful than, “He saw the door open”.

How to deal with overused words:

Needless to say, the easiest thing to do is not to write these words and phrases in the first place. However, that is easier said than done, particularly when you want to simply get the story down. So, when you start editing, go through your manuscript with the “find” function to identify every time one of these overused words is used, then choose another word or phrase to replace it.

Yes, this means you will go through your manuscript approximately 50 times or more. But your story will be better, and you will have the chance to look at the various sentences around these overused words and make changes then.

 

Words often overused:

Because we tend to use these words when we speak, using them in dialog is not so serious as using them in narrative. You don’t need to completely eliminate these words—just use them sparingly and only if another word won’t work better. We tend to fall back on these words when we don’t take the time needed to find the exact right word.

-LY adverbs: in most cases, you can delete the word and not change the meaning of the sentence at all.

 

It (describe what IT is – makes the sentence more clear, avoids ambiguity, and gives you the opportunity to tell more about what IT is).

 

THAT (if you can take THAT out of the sentence and the sentence still makes sense, delete it).

 

 

	A bit	Absolutely
Actually	Almost	Amazing
Approached	Are you all right?	As (clauses)
Awesome	Awful/awfully	Bad
Beautiful	Because	Become/became
Began	Believe	Big
But	By	Could
Decide	Eyed/eyeing	expression
face	Feel	Felt
Fine	Found (himself/herself)	Gave
Gaze/gazed	Glanced	Good
great	Had	Happy
Have	Hear/heard	If
Interesting		Just
Knew	Know	Like
Look	Looked like	Made
Made a face	Made his/her way	Making
Maybe	Name was	Nearly
Nice	Nodded	Not certain
Not sure	Notice	Observe
Often	Quite	Reached
Really	Recalled	remembered
Said	Saw	seemed
Shook his/her head	Shot (as in shot him/her a glance)	should
Shrug/shrugged	Simply	Smell
So	Somehow	Suddenly
Taste		Then
There	Thereafter	Therefore
Think	Thought	Touched
Turned	Turned to face/to leave	Very
Was	Watched/watching	Well
When	With (prepositional phrases--don't rely on them so much)	Wondered
Would	You

 

Tools to identify overused words:

This is a free service that shows not only the overused words but also offers suggestions:

http://prowritingaid.com/art/7/Find-overused-words.aspx#.UKq_UoZ2_gk

References:

http://www.barbarasloan.com/tips_overused.html http://learnedaboutwriting.blogspot.com/2008/05/overused-words.html http://www.buzzle.com/articles/overused-words.html

 

Donna is a writer of History Thru The Ages, creating stories from the heart, for the heart. She lives in Denver with husband Patrick. You can follow her blog at www.HistoryThruTheAges.blogspot.com, or check out her website at www.HistoryThruTheAges.com.

You are welcome to share this list as long as you link the credit back to me. www.HistoryThruTheAges.blogspot.com or www.HistoryThruTheAges.com