quilting from the heartland
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So many people want to write books to generate passive income, gain credibility and recognition, to leave a legacy, and just to be heard.
The biggest challenge they find is not coming up with ideas to write about, the biggest challenge is often figuring out how to begin a book or article.
What can they say to get things started?
After reading some 2,000 books in the past 27 years I think I've cracked the code on writing non-fiction.
Here are my 'quick start' opening lines that anyone can use for any book or article to help get started right now at becoming an author.
How do you use these quick start opening lines?
Easy.
Do you recall when you were a kid you played a game where one person started with a word or phrase and each person around the room had to add another word or phrase until at the end of the chain you had a weird and completely senseless story that made everyone laugh, even though it made little or no sense?
Well, we are building on that childhood experience.
The difference here is that you probably will not have a bunch of others in the room helping you and your article or book will make total sense.
So start at the first opening line and complete the sentence with whatever comes to mind for your subject and your audience.
This exercise will give you the momentum needed to get started.
Of course, these phrases will not give you the "meat" you need for your article or book. That must come from your own knowledge, skills, experiences, and research.
This may sound difficult or even strange but bear/bare with me, you'll see how simple this is once you actually try it.
I suggest starting at the top of this list and working your way to the bottom.
Yes, write a complete sentence for each of these 101 opening phrases. This will give you a huge start at creating your book, plus when all is said and done, you may end up with 101 usable sentences or complete paragraphs for your book or article.
If one phrase prompts you to write your entire book or article then do so. Feel free to write more than one sentence if the thoughts come to mind. There's no reason to stop writing your book or article just to finish these exercises.
The exercises are designed to help prompt your creativity. So if that happens go with it.
Of course if any particular phrase is inappropriate for what you are writing about, skip that phrase. Don't get tied up by perfectionism.
Still seem a little strange?
This might help. Imagine someone you trust and who is very articulate is right here with you, prompting you with the opening phrases found below.
What can you add to these phrases that will make a complete sentence for what you want to write about?
Let's begin:
1. Just imagine...
2. It has long been said...
3. Traditionally...
4. The most successful...
5. [so and so} claims...
6. There is a saying that...
7. How would you like to...
8. Whatever stage your [insert a noun here _____ } is in, ...
9. We have heard many [insert superlative like ‘amazing’ here _______] stories about ...
10. Finally....
11. If you...
12. There are a variety of less well-known...
13. There are a variety of better known...
14. Even in [subject] it is important to keep in mind...
15. Suppose some one you meet...
16. Suppose...
17. How did a ...
18. As a nation we have...
19. In our society we have...
20. To better understand...
21. Ask a question...
22. It was the best of times it was the worst of times...
23. Companies like...
24. What works for...
25. There comes a time when...
26. Quote someone or a common belief...
27. Take...
28. When the...
29. You can...
30. With the ...
31. What's the...
32. Like (comparison of something)...
33. This...
34. This book ...
35. If [verbalize chapter title]...
36. How do you...
37. How ...
38. Who ...
39. What ...
40. When...
41. Why...
42. Where...
43. Some people...
44. Some companies...
45. Some pets...
46. Some animals...
47. Some...
48. You don't need a...
49. You...
50. You need...
51. You should...
52. You should never...
53. It's...
54. Many...
55. Many people...
56. Many companies...
57. Few realize...
58. Most realize...
59. Often...
60. Never...
61. If there were a way to...
62. They laughed when...
63. Everyone...
64. Everyone laughed when...
65. Few...
66. The greatest fallacy...
67. The greatest myth...
68. The biggest challenge...
69. Here are...
70. Do you...
71. This may sound...
72. You may think...
73. Do you recall...
74. Do you remember...
75. Start with the name of a company you plan to feature or write a commentary on or give an example of.
Example, “Lorne Greene shocked the world when he decided...”
76. ...
Author: By André Bell
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Timely help for quilting from the heartland
About Quilting Dutchman's Puzzle is an all-time favorite traditional quilt block. I'm showing an example of a quilt here, rather than the block itself, because this pattern's color value arrangement is split vertically, and deviates from the norm, with a dark background in one half of the block and a light background in the other. The pattern walks you through the construction of two quilt blocks, and although they have the same components, they're sewn together in different ways. Make 35 blocks to assemble a strippy-set quilt like this example (the pattern includes yardages). It's also a very good pattern for scrappy blocks (and a heads-up to Forum Block Party participants -- you might see this again at some point). ©Janet Wickell Dutchman's Puzzle Quilt Block Pattern originally appeared on About.com Quilting on Wednesday, March 10th, 2010 at 16:28:05. Permalink | Comment | Email this Five Patch Chain Quilt Block Pattern Five Patch Chain is another block that can be used to create dramatic diagonal movement on the face of your quilt. All pieces are cut along the straight grain -- no stretchy bias edges means it's super easy to assemble. The quilt block finishes at 10" square, and I've included a layout example showing 18 Five Patch Chains alternated with Snowballs. ©Janet Wickell Five Patch Chain Quilt Block Pattern originally appeared on About.com Quilting on Saturday, March 6th, 2010 at 18:05:31. Permalink | Comment | Email this Double Nine Patch Quilt Block Pattern This colorful version of the Double Nine Patch quilt block is assembled using a slightly different color value layout in the small corner nine patches than is typical of the traditional design. The block finishes at 11-1/4" square, and can be assembled quickly by strip piecing (most) rows. © Janet Wickell Double Nine Patch Quilt Block Pattern originally appeared on About.com Quilting on Thursday, March 4th, 2010 at 20:17:40. Permalink | Comment | Email this Lincoln's Platform Quilt Block Pattern Lincoln's Platform is a traditional patchwork quilt block with a central area surrounded by continuous squares -- sort of a block with its own built-in border. This version of the quilt block finishes at 14" x 14", and can be assembled with quick piecing techniques. I've included a layout suggestion, with blocks sewn together in horizontal rows. © Janet Wickell Lincoln's Platform Quilt Block Pattern originally appeared on About.com Quilting on Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010 at 19:36:33. Permalink | Comment | Email this Double Four Patch Blocks in Pink and Orange This Double Four Patch design is the second quilt block pattern for March. Stitched in focal fabrics of pink, rose and orange, it's sure to be an attention-getter. The block finishes at 8" square, and is simple to assemble. It's also the design we're using for this month's Block Party event in the Quilting Forum. Double Four Patch Pattern © Janet Wickell Double Four Patch Blocks in Pink and Orange originally appeared on About.com Quilting on Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010 at 11:16:29. Permalink | Comment | Email this Kicking Off Block-a-Day March I introduced a new block pattern each day last March, and plan to try it again this year. Now, there might be days I get behind, but I'll end the month with 31 new patterns. Day 1's quilt block is a variation of the design that's often referred to as Broken Dishes. Its center, made from four half square triangles, is the layout that typically comes to mind when we hear that name (although the color value layout shown here differs a bit). The block finishes at 15" square, and would make a fantastic scrap quilt. Kicking Off Block-a-Day March originally appeared on About.com Quilting on Monday, March 1st, 2010 at 15:07:02. Permalink | Comment | Email this Book Review: The Tsunami Quilt In 1946, coastlines throughout Hawaii were hit by a tsunami generated by a massive earthquake in Alaska's Aleutian Islands. Less than 5 hours later, waves as tall as 55 feet came onshore in Hilo and other parts of Hawaii, killing 159 people and devastating shoreline areas. Hopefully, residents will have plenty of warning to evacuate the coasts ahead of the tsunami expected from the earthquake in Chile. In Laupahoehoe, the focal point of The Tsunami Quilt, schoolchildren ran towards the ocean to pick up fish after one of the waves retreated, unaware that another would follow, and pull them into the ocean. Focusing on the losses at Laupahoehoe, Anthony Fredericks uses a family's history and tradition to explain the events of 1946 to children. Colorful illustration by Tammy Yee tell the story in pictures. Monument at Laupahhoehoe Book Review: The Tsunami Quilt originally appeared on About.com Quilting on Saturday, February 27th, 2010 at 11:16:35. Permalink | Comment | Email this 5" Fool's Square Quilt Block Pattern Are you ready to go smaller? At 5" square, perhaps this doesn't fit into most definitions of a miniature quilt, but it is half the size of the traditional Fool's Square block. The smaller size is perfect for a wallhanging and also makes a nicely-scaled baby quilt. Sew an alternate block between Fool's Square (a plain square, a Snowball, any five-patch) or sew them side-by-side. You'll find that color-play is best when side-by-side blocks are not identical -- make them scrappy or sew them in a couple of themes for best results. Janet Wickell 5" Fool's Square Quilt Block Pattern originally appeared on About.com Quilting on Friday, February 26th, 2010 at 06:10:03. Permalink | Comment | Email this Make An Easy Pillow Cover I'm not big on sewing zippers -- I've had a mental block about them since about 1963. So I've avoided making pillow covers, because I like covers that can be removed when it's time to wash them, something that's critical when you have a house full of felines like we do. This quick and easy pillow cover method solves the problem by eliminating the zippers and replacing them with a simple, fold-over back. Start looking through your UFO bins for quilt blocks, and then grab some backing fabric. You'll finish this easy throw pillow cover in no time. Photo © Janet Wickell Make An Easy Pillow Cover originally appeared on About.com Quilting on Friday, February 26th, 2010 at 06:00:45. Permalink | Comment | Email this Thread Tips for Quilters Thread Tips is one of the many references inspired by readers when I asked what type of information everyone would like to see covered on About.com Quilting. Entire books can be written about threads, their content and their uses and the techniques required to sew with them, so treat this as a simple introduction. I hope it will help beginners become more familiar with the massive selection of threads available to quilters. Thread Tips for Quilters originally appeared on About.com Quilting on Monday, February 22nd, 2010 at 17:58:54. Permalink | Comment | Email this Newsfeed display by CaRP |
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