I’d paid an extra $20 to have Colleen Wright, owner of Response Interactive to evaluate my web site. It was the best $20 ever spent! Did you know that the title on your main page shouldn’t be over 65 characters for optimal search engines finding you? Came home and fixed that right away.

It’s an exciting though sometimes mind boggling task but it goes to prove that we are never too old to learn how to “hoot our own horns.”

 Registration.

 Print and mail with cheque made out to LoveToGo Writing to: #14-7624 Duncan St. Powell River, BC, V8A 5L2 Contact Barb Rees: 604-485-2732

Name:_____________________________________________________

Address:___________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

Email:_____________________________________________________

Phone:__________________

Dietary restrictions:__________________________________________

Fee paid by April 21: $75.____________

Fee paid April 22 to May 3 deadline: $85.__________

Do you need accommodations ?  Y__ N__ Contact Barb for arrangements.

Would you be interested in going out as a group afterward for dinner and each person paying their own way? Y_______N__________

Thank you and look forward to spending the day with you.

 Enjoy a day of playing with words. Learn about:

• Block Busters
• Enlightening exercises
• Hot Hooks
• Mind mapping
• Self-publishing scenarios

Delight in quiet time to write. Be inspired by fellow writers. This is your day. This is your gift to your writing dreams. Space is limited to 12 attendees.

9:30 a.m – 5:00 p.m, May 5/12, downstairs at 4363 Westview Ave. Powell River, BC

 Fee includes: All sessions, one-on-one time with Barb, handouts, snacks and lunch. Paid registrations by April 21: $75. April 22- May 3 deadline: $85.

 Send registration(from this site) and cheque payable to LoveToGo Writing to:

#14-7624 Duncan St., Powell River, BC, V8A 5L2.

 For more information contact: Barb Rees

Phone: 604-485-2732

Toll Free: 1-866-373-2607

dreambg1@shaw.ca

It all started May 26/11, when we took the camper van “Boo The Menopausal Van 2″ which was loaded ready for the trip, to the mall so I could buy a new smart phone. Our cute little pup Pali went along for the ride. It almost was his last. In the 3o mins. it took to get the phone set up, the van caught on fire. We had no idea until a fellow came running into the mall, and hollered at Dave, “Come quick. It’s an emergency!” Still, I didn’t clue in so I finished what I was doing. I went outside to see the mall lot yellow taped off like a scene from a movie, crowds of people standing around, and flames and smoke leaping from the van. Dave’s first words to me was, “Pali’s ok.” Stunned, I just gaped at our little home. Pali had been rescued, taken to the vet, and pronounced healthy by the time I got out there. I was more shaken than him. It tooks months to get over that scene.

That was the beginning of our summer. It meant dealing with insurance; deciding what to do about the trailer packed ready to go but nothing to tow it with now, making arrangments and finding another unit. People suggested we cancel the trip and our answer was always no. This was just a pothole, albeit a rather smoky nasty one.

Short version of the story: We took the trailer to Vancouver Island, left it on consignment at the lot we bought a 32 ft motorhome from which was a rip-off. Our departure date got moved to June 15, and car in tow we left Powell River, and broke down on the peninsula(part way to Vancouver). Four days and over $2200 later we left Vancouver wanting to sue Upper Island Motors for misrepresentation. Again it was asked if we would stop the trip Again it was no.

The RV continued to break down for the 3 months we were on the road but we kept on. We cut out Yukon and NWT because the money was so tight by then and moved towards our next big dream to get to Churchill, MB to see polar bears. We made it there and stood in the Hudson’s Bay doing our traditional water pouring ceremony. Standing under a full moon in Churchill, we were ecstatic we hadn’t given up on our dreams.

But the tests weren’t over. Sept.7, while camped in Mancota, SK we got a message that our son Brent had been in a terrible car accident in the Yukon while up there working. He became a quadrapalegic and was in dangerous condition. Dave drove over 1900 km in 3 days to get us back to Vancouver where Brent was in VGH. We spent the rest of Sept, Oct. and most of November camped in Surrey, and driving everyday to the hospital to be by his side. I’m happy to say on this day Feb.11/12, he is doing very well with his mind as clear and determined as ever. He has new plans for a  new life. The prognosis is that he will never walk but Dave and I believe in miracles.

I feel like it was a summer book-ended by sorrow but in between its pages were wonderful stories, people, and experiences. It’s going to make a fascinating 4th RV Canada book due 2013 for the next cross Canada trip.

The moral to the story is that life is constantly changing, nothing is forever so don’t waste time, get out there and make your dreams come true. Love and appreciate your loved ones.

 Ten things you NEVER do with your RV. Some of these are just plain old common sense, some you learn the hard way and some… well; you just don’t do it with an RV!

10) While traveling on the interstate in your RV floor it to see what your top speed is.

9) Assume you can fit under that two lane road bridge that doesn’t have the height posted.

Wait until next week to winterize the RV when the current temperature outside is 15 degrees.

7) Attempt to empty the holding tanks when your sewer hose almost reaches the drain outlet.

6) Loan your new RV to your best friend for a week. You may be looking for a new best friend!

5) Back the RV into the campsite hoping there is nothing behind you.

4) Take your 35 foot RV on the scenic mountain parkway where the posted sign reads no RV’s over 25 feet allowed. Trust me on this one!

3) Take your brand new RV on a hunting trip with all the guys, trust me on this one too!

2) Believe the RV salesman who says, you’re truck can pull anything on this lot!

And #1 if you read “My First Real RV Adventure” article on the rv.net blog you will remember when you’re camping in bear country you never put your trash bags outside the camper door!

Can you add anything to the list?

Happy RV Learning,

Mark Polk

RV University 101

http://rvuniversity.com

http://rvingwithmarkpolk.blogspot.com

April 5, 7:00 at Breakwater Books in Powell River, Barb and Dave will launch “RV Canada’s Far North on a Dream.” The evening includes a travel show “Grizzlies and Gravel Roads North of 60.” If you don’t live in Powell River, find out when the Rees’s will be in your town with their show.

RV Canada’s Far North on a Dream $20 (CN/US) plus postage:

Mastercard … Call Barb toll free: 1-866-373-2607

Sample paragraph taken from Yellowknife, NWT chapter:

But the highlight of the trip awaited  us in the most unexpected place. As we drove around The Rock, a car was tail-gating us and Dave hates tail-gaters so he pulled over to let them pass. Instead of passing they pulled alongside,  and two First Nations women ask, “Who’s the writer?” On Boo’s back window a sign says, “BC Author on tour” Dave points at me and says, “She is.” Without any explanation they say, “If you want stories, follow us” and take off. Stunned, we look at each other. “Well you said you wanted stories,” says Dave. “Follow that car,” I say.

We have no idea where we’re going but soon we are in the Ndilio First Nations Community (not a reserve). Ndilio (pronounced Dilio) means ‘end of the island.’ We pull into a yard, and introduce ourselves. Diane and Loretta brought us here because their mom Muriel wants to write. On the way Diane called mom on her cell phone and told her she was bringing a writer home. Unlike us whites who need lots of warning to prepare for company, aboriginal peoples take it all in stride. Remembering what the Tlingit taught us about being on Indian time, we are open to whatever the universe has in store for us.

By the time we entered Muriel’s kitchen she already had the big yellow mixing bowl out and started making bannock. The tea pot sat in the middle of the table,and for the next two hours folks dropped in for tea or ask something. Those were the richest two hours!

Muriel, a widow of 10 years tells us about her brother George Blondin, author of four books. As we drink tea, Muriel mix’s raisins into the bannock and tells us as a medicine woman she wants to write the female version of her peoples’ legends. Her mother passed on the knowledge before she died at 94. Her grandfather known for speed, left camp with his dogs to make a 20 mile trail for his people. He arrived in plenty of time to build a hut, and kill an animal for dinner. On his death bed, he called Muriel to him, held out his hand and passed the gift of speed onto her. Watching her get the bannock into the oven in record time, I have no doubt she is speedy.

As a medicine woman, she must be pure which means no alcohol so there is only positive energy around her. We were in the presence of a great woman. Only once when telling why her fingers are crooked because they were broken in residential school did her light waver briefly. She grew up at Great Bear Lake in the Slavey nation but was taken away at eight years to residential school. They broke her fingers because she wouldn’t quit speaking her language. Why do whites feel they have to change, Christianize or rescue other cultures? Why can’t they let them be? But she quickly turned the bad memories around and said, “I am a survivor because I have faith in God. I survived cancer five years ago. I want to carry on our traditions for the children. I nourish my life style. We can survive if we look after our food sources.” We’ve been hearing similar refrains the whole time we’ve been north of 60.

At 17 she lived in the bush for three months with her dogs, where she looked after two injured eagles that went on to protect her. One day a bear got a whiff of her kill from a hunt, started prowling around and the eagles heard him. They squawked and dove at him until he ran away.   Another time it had been raining for days so Muriel hadn’t been hunting. The eagle brought her two rabbits, one for her and one for her dogs.

This is but one of the many stories plus things about Canada you never knew. Arm-chair travellers, dreamers, or RVers all enjoy Barb’s books. Preorder yours today and receive the free gift.

I completed a 10 part series in Snowbirds & RV Travel about the 2009 northern trip. The Métis magazine Whispering Winds also carried some articles. My 2011 goal is to find new paid markets to write for. There are plenty of free magazines that expect writers to write for free and that’s how I got started but no more. I’ve done my time. As a member of the BC Association of Travel Writers I was privileged to go on my first all expenses paid “fam” tour to Dawson City in June. Thrilling and fun …I want to do more of this.

Boo the menopausal van was retired in Dec.2009, traded in on a 1992 Dodge Travel Home high top camperized van now known as Boo 2. We’ve had a ball this year taking little trips in her, sometimes just for the day but a nice getaway. She towed the 27 ft. trailer up to Kelowna for the RV Lifestyle Seminars in June without any problems. So now we have the best of both worlds.

We acquired a new puppy in April the same week Dave lost his only brother, Bill. Pali,a Shitzu/poodle, chihuahua cross is 3 pounds of love and bossy attitude. He’s changed our lives and the energy in our home.

Dave went to work at Wal-Mart in Sept in preparation financially for the big trip. He’s living proof that 68 yr old guys still can find work. While we have our health we are going to make good use of our time.

Métis of Powell River went from 3 of us to forming own community. How exciting to feel like I belong, like this is the family I’ve been missing after years of not knowing. It will be official in February and then we’ll start planning events and educational components.

As we close the door on 2010, hope you can look back on it with few regrets and look forward to an even better 2011. Life fully without excuses or regrets, make a difference in the world.

Have you ever dreamed of travelling on someone else’s dime and writing articles that actually pay? We all start out small, maybe writing for free until we build up our portfolio but we must  get to the point when we know our writing has to have a monetary value.  This  interview in the newsletter gives us some simple tips on how to get started.

 Interview taken by permission from: The Right Way to Travel newsletter Sept.3/10. For the whole story and more fascinating opportunities go to:

 http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/2010/09/travel_discounts.php

TRWTT: What was your article about?

GINNY: I started on the island finale of the trip because it looked
more manageable. I thought I could finish it faster and get my byline.
The safari part of the trip was so mind-blowing and overwhelming that
I told myself I would “save it for later.”

Word to the wise: keep up with your writing, because before you know
it, you’re off on another trip and the commitments and deadlines start
to pile up.

TRWTT: How and where did you get it published?

GINNY: I got published in Travellady.com. It was unpaid, but it was my
first thrilling byline. And I’ve been hooked ever since.

TRWTT: Besides building credibility and getting published, did you get
any expenses paid, or were you able to get special rates and deals as
a travel writer?

GINNY: Not on that trip. But I have on others I’ve written about. I
usually travel everywhere for at least half-price, with many side
trips and excursions tossed in for free.

TRWTT: How do you go about securing discounted travel and perks?

GINNY: I often start the barter process with an e-mail to a manager,
telling him or her about an upcoming “Travel Writer Visit.” I am quite
direct in asking whether they offer special rates for travel
journalists, and I mention an interest in a place/event/excursion of
theirs. Sometimes that’s enough to do the trick, but only if you try
not to travel during peak seasons.

I have to say, another “perk” of all of this is that my husband has
become a very good photographer, and we work in great partnership to
get the travel writing done. It’s terrific to have someone fun to
share these adventures with.

 TRWTT: Do you have any tips for someone who’d like to get started
writing travel articles?

GINNY: Sure. My number one tip is the best tip I’ve received — to
start locally and write about something you know, in your own
backyard. One article I wrote was about New Glarus, Wisconsin,
“America’s Little Switzerland,” where I have been going for 20 years.

It got published in German Life — a very beautiful, glossy magazine
– and was distributed in nine countries.

My second tip is: Don’t over-direct your writing. When you’re getting
started on a new article, it’s important to just start writing, let it
flow, then go back and finesse.

Tip 3: Skip the flowery adjectives and power your story through the use
of verbs with muscle. I believe that’s one of Jennifer Stevens’
tricks.

Tip 4: Just ask. You won’t get a discount or an article
published if you don’t put yourself out there and ask for what you
want.

TRWTT: Where are you off to next?

GINNY: I plan on going to Ecuador — into the Amazon Rainforest and
then to the Galapagos Islands. I really love wildlife and nature and
this looks to be a dream trip.

If Ginny can do so you can you. I went on my first “fam” / familiarization tour this year, all expenses paid to Dawson City, Yukon. Yukon Tourism treated the three of us travel writers like royalty. From it I have contacts for more articles, contacts for my book launch up there next summer, and a better idea how this works and what is expected. I want more!

Happy writing and raising the bar on your own expectations!

Barb

 I couldn’t join BC Association of Travel Writers unless I sold at least two articles per year because this is an organization of professionals. The first year I scrimped to sell two. But by the next year Snowbirds & RV Travel found me and paid for the 10 part series about our 2009 northern trip.

 This year after the BCATW gala, an invitation went out for three travel writers to go to Dawson City, Yukon all expenses paid. Yahoo!! I finally felt like I belonged among the other professional travel writers. No more writing for free, or at least minimally and only under special circumstances like for Powell River Living.

 Those four days in Dawson was the pinnacle of my travel writing career. I was treated like royalty by tourism and business people alike. Three of us were wined and dined, toured around, given gifts and taken to the Commissioners Ball. The 1898 style ball is formal with dresses being specially designed starting at $2,000. Do I ever have stories! I did my homework ahead of time, contacting the seamstress, the commissioner’s office and an editor for a Yukon magazine.In the photo below with my two other travel writer friends  at the Commissions Ball. If you can make out the little feather headpieces we’re wearing they were gifts from our Yukon Tourism host. Oh the perks!

 Could you earn an income with your stories or enjoy what are called “fam tours”/ familiarization tours put on by tourism …YES You Can! Haven’t started yet? Start writing for free in local magazines to build up a portfolio of clips/tear sheets. Set a goal for when you’ll start selling stories. Writing is a job and we deserve to get paid just the same as the ad person does. Among the professionals, it’s a sore point when writers give their work away because it makes it harder for the rest of us to find editors that will pay. Start small, learn as you go, attend workshops, pick the brain of experienced magazine writers, study articles in magazines for content and structure.

 The Powell River Tourism project is the perfect place for locals to get their feet wet… or is that their computers working? Believe in yourself and your writing and you’ll go far. YES You Can Make Money Writing and have fun in the process! For the guidelines to this project go the Powell River Writers Conference site and the latest newsletter: www.prwriters.org

by David Goldsmith

If you always write the same type of article then you are probably
limiting your chances of getting published. Look at your favorite
publications and you will see they print a variety of types of
article. Here are five of the most popular types.

The ‘How To’ Article
This is a very popular type of article, in which you tell the
reader how to do something. It could be how to build a garage, how
to write a book, how to sell a house, or how to clean tar off a
pair of trousers. These articles tend to be particularly popular
because people love to find out how to do something.

When writing how to do something, and if the sequence is important,
then it is a good idea to number each step. Remember to keep your
instructions simple, yet specific. And you could even use a picture
or illustration if the publication allows it.

The ‘List’ Article
The list article is an article that lists several related pieces of
information, and is one of the easiest types of article to write.
It could be “10 Ways to Save Money”, “5 Flowers to Plant In April”,
or “The Best 12 Places to Live in Canada”. A list article should
have:

- An introduction.
- The list; each item may be a paragraph or two.
- A conclusion.

The ‘Roundup’ Article
In the roundup article, you provide a roundup of information,
statements, or opinions from a variety of sources. You might
interview a number of experts, for example, and ask them the same
list of questions. In your article you then write a roundup of the
answers, e.g.

“Bill Jones, CEO of SHJ Limited, is confident that the market will
turn around soon. “Within the next six weeks at most”, he
predicted. But Tom Sloane, at Pickwick Associates, disagrees. He
explains why…”

The ‘Inspirational’ Article
Inspiration articles include inspirational narrative, essays,
articles on faith and religion, and self-help articles.

Do you know of an issue or concern that affects many people? Think
of your own every day experiences. Write about the issue… and
help the readers to deal with life and to improve themselves in
some way.

The ‘As Told To’ Article
Because many of the people who have outstanding experiences are not
writers, there is a market for writing those people’s stories. This
is quite similar to ghostwriting, except that in this case the
audience knows that you are the writer. In the credits, you would
show “By Peter Wallace [subject], as told to Jim Davies…”
[writer].

Instead of writing a third-person narrative of the event, the ‘As
Told To’ article makes the tale more real and personal by using the
first-person.

So next time you are about to write an article, pause… and ask
which type of article would best suit your situation and topic. By
varying the types of articles you write your writing will also
develop a new depth and your articles will be picked up by a much
wider variety of publications.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

David Goldsmith is the author of “25 Ways to Write for Money”.
Discover multiple ways to grow your freelance writing business.

Article from: www.worldwidefreelance.com