Decisions

Creative writers can do interviews to make easy money. Local newspapers eat them up. You will make about $15 or $20 on each one, plus $5 for a picture. Resell the same article all over the nation and turn that $20 into $200.

The first question an interviewee will ask you is, “Who are you going to sell this article to?” The last question they will ask is, “Will I get to see this article before it is sold?”

The answer to the first question is, “I am a freelancer, and I sell to different markets. When I sell it, I will send you a copy.” (And be sure you do!) The answer to the last question is, “I’m sorry. Editors disapprove of that practice. I can assure you that I will not misrepresent anything you say.”

Finding people to interview is no problem. You don’t need access to a three-legged person, a unique museum, or the Fountain of Youth’s owner. News is all around you. Open your eyes and look at the ordinary.

Maybe you would want to interview a supervisor in a Coca-Cola factory. How much does the machinery cost. How many bottles are broken daily? What does it cost to produce one bottle of Coke?

To find the right person to interview, make a few phone calls. Ask the operator or receptionist who you should ask about thus and so. Get the name of the person, and talk to their secretary. Ask what his hobby is. When you finally gain access to him, after the formal introductions are finished, you can open with, “I hear you are an avid golfer.” And you are off and rolling on your interview.

Take a note pad, pen and small tape recorder. Ask if it is okay to use a tape recorder. Most people will be hesitant. A statement such as, “I just want to get the facts straight. Is it okay if I set this over here?” (point to an unobtrusive place) can relax them. Avoid interrupting the flow of the interview and take notes only when you must. Once you have your information, be sure to thank that person and make arrangements for any follow-up questions by telephone or email.

When you’re ready to write it out, choose a working title. You can always change it later, and a working title will help you wrap your mind around the subject.

What will the scope and tone of your article be? Will it be an in-depth study, or will it cover only the highlights? Is your objective to instruct your readers, or will you be entertaining them? Will you be using an argumentative approach, or will you write it as a motivational piece? Once you have answered these questions, the research and writing will go faster and easier.

To feel comfortable about writing your article, you must collect more data than you will ever use. It will give you confidence, and that confidence will exude an air of authority and authenticity in the finished product. See below for more free writer’s tips.

About the Author:
Private tutoring, $185 for 8 wks. at http://www.creativewritinginstitute.com – the only fully mentored writing school on the net. Take your classes any time in the next year. Sale ends January 31, 2009! Only 15 to a class. Reserve your space now! (If sale has ended, write to deborahowen@cwinst.com)

Keyword tags: creative writers,creative writing course,writing sites,writing tutor,writing assistance,writing tips

An electric bike can easily be confused with other vehicles like scooters or motorcycles. However, they are not at all the same thing. Many people opt to use an electric bike so that they can get around easy without having to rely on a car. There are many rules involved with riding an electric bike. Make sure that you know all of those rules and laws for where you live. Many electric bike owners have had the misfortune of receiving tickets after disobeying laws that they hadn’t been aware of.

An electric bike is much cheaper to power than a scooter or motorcycle is. It is not a vehicle in any way. All it requires is the ability to recharge. Electric bikes do not require any fuel at all and this is one reason why many people choose them. It can save a lot of money on gas and car expenses if you do not have all that far to go to get to work or school. Motorcycles are not a cheap option in comparison. An electric bike is a fantastic green option for those that are seeking a clean way to get around without harming the environment.

An electric bike experiences much less depreciation than a vehicle or a scooter. Because it is essentially just a good bicycle that is powered, if it is kept in good shape the resale value diminishes minimally. Take care of your bike by storing it away properly in a garage. Don’t leave it outside in the elements or it could rust and not work properly. Store it and keep it clean so you lose virtually none of the value.

Modes of transportation such as scooters or motorbikes cannot run on solar energy. An electric bike can be designed to use solar power so that the source of your energy is all natural. It costs nothing once you already have your bike equipped to use solar power. It also prevents the need for a gas station. Since solar powered cars are not yet a commonly produced product, electric bikes have a great advantage over all regular petrol fuelled vehicles.

Scooters and motorbikes have an actual engine that requires gasoline to run. Electric bikes do not have a combustible engine. Therefore, they have absolutely no greenhouse gas emissions the way those types of transportation do. Those vehicles also require a special driver’s license to drive them. If you can ride a bike, then you are ready to go on your electric bike with no further permits required.

Though some states may require that an electric bike be registered, they usually do not. And they rarely ever require any form of insurance since it is a bicycle that has been electrically equipped. A regular bicycle can be turned into an electric bike by purchasing a conversion kit. This makes electric bikes a transportation method all their own. Motorbikes and scooters are not at all in the same class. The advantages of an electric bike are apparent. They can squeeze into all of those tiny spaces a car or motorbike never could and they are environmentally friendly.

About the Author:
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Keyword tags: The Difference between Electric Bikes and Engine Powered Bikes

One question most frequently asked is about grammar capitalization, when to capitalize people’s job titles, political names, or quasi-political entities. Writing manuals are mostly nowadays aligned themselves to the tendency of journalistic circles: less is better.

When a title appears to be as a part of the person’s name, mostly before the name, then it is capitalized: Professor Theodore. Likewise, when the title appears to be after the name then it is not to be capitalized: Tiffany Theodore, professor of history.

The grammar capitalization of words which refers to government agencies or institutions will depend on who is writing and where or from what perspective. If you will be writing for the city of New York, regarding charter or just preparing in-house documents on exact office decor, you should capitalize the word city for it to be distinguished from the other cities: The City has an extended tradition of individual freedom. If you will be writing for a newspaper not inside the institutions, you should not capitalize it: The city has refurbished its entire government system.

You do not have to capitalize words when used just modifiers. Directions should not be capitalized unless it becomes a part of an official title of a geographical location: He transfers from south L.A. to the place of South Africa.

In e-mail, For some reason, to estimate it few authors whom the email should reproduce the glance and the feeling of the ancient messages of telegraph, and their capital goes the manner of the windmill or they go to the extreme opposite and capitalized everything. It is nonsense. Appropriate capitalization selected facilitates simply things for reading (unless something is profited by error, and then it slows down things). Without small tails and chiefs we obtain in a nice mixture of higher text and of small letter, the words lose their familiar contact and feel. It is extremely difficult to read the text written in all caps and some regard it as unsuitable and coarse, like shouting to somebody. Retain the use of all caps in the email with the solitary words which need more emphasis (use italics or underline the word, if your customer of email envisages this treatment).

Grammar Capitalization associated with Internet is that there is considerable discussion, always, about the way of benefiting from the words related to the Internet. The majority of the dictionaries profit the Internet, the Web, and associated words such as the World Wide Web (usually shortened with the Web), the Web page, the Web site, etc, but the publications of some companies, such as Microsoft, seem to lean starting from such a capitalization.

This is where an advanced grammar checker helps you in various ways. Aside from its main use which is to check for punctuation errors in your work, it can also be a help in saving some of your time. Using professional grammar software, you will definitely spend less time in checking your work for punctuation errors or likely you will spend no extra time at all. It will do the checking, scanning and corrections for you, all in a hassle free way. With correct placement of punctuation marks, definitely it is easier to read and understand your writing. It is a good thing for both your reader and you.

About the Author:
Watch how innovative Grammar checking software instantly can improve your writings on a daily basis and learn how advanced NLP technology can help you to write better English than your English teacher. Visit: http://wwww.englishsoftware.org

Keyword tags: Grammar Check, Grammar, Grammar Checker

There are plenty of reasons to opt for a used motorcycle when you are looking to buy. The newer models might not have that classic look that you want, or you might prefer to have something a little cheaper than a brand new bike. That being said, there are some years for motorcycles that just weren’t the factory’s best and you’ll want to avoid them.

Choosing the right vintage or used motorcycle could help you not only get a cheaper bike, but you could even double your money in a few years, as vintage motorcycles become less common. It’s certainly something to think about as you shop around.

Motorcycles depreciate rapidly in value once they are put into use, which means that buying new just isn’t worth it most of the time. As soon as that front tire hits the street, the bike drops 30% or so in value. That means used bikes are a far better investment, particularly if you can find one that is practically new.

Vintage Bikes: It Depends On the Brand

When it comes to vintage motorcycles, not all brands are truly classic. The ones that have the cleanest lines and are the truly sought after bikes are the ones you want. For example, a Kawasaki isn’t going to be nearly as exciting as a vintage bike, not when you look at the early Harley Davidsons, at least!

For vintage Harleys, looking way back, the 1953 model is a popular one these days among fans of the classic look. In fact, this look was so popular that Harley made a newer Sportster that uses the same lines as the original.

Another great year for vintage was 1928, with the BMW Indian Scout. This bike features one of the early V-twin engines and is still a great looking bike if you can find one in good condition. Since this motorcycle is so old, chances are you won’t find one, but if you should, you’ll know it’s worth every penny.

Coming in as just barely a vintage motorcycle is the Suzuki 500 Titan. This bike doesn’t really have the looks that we aim for in a classic bike, but there’s no denying its popularity. The motorcycle uses a two-stroke engine that is quite large for the time period and features clean, smooth lines.

Modern Used Motorcycles

Again, it depends on the brand name when you are looking at which year was best for used motorcycles. Many people will give you different answers if you ask, so it’s also a matter of personal taste. However, some years were simply better than others all around, so we’ll be focusing on these here.

Most people find that more recent years are the best option since they aren’t too used. A fairly recent model will be less likely to have serious problems than much older models. In addition, you will be able to find parts for more recent models easier, as well. In general, the previous 5-10 years would be a good time period to look at.

2001 – Yamaha

The Yamaha YZ426F was the Bike of the Year in 2001. This off-road version of the Yamaha motorcycle is a good choice if you are looking for a used bike for more adventurous riding. It features titanium valves and a four stroke engine for some heavy duty power. The bike is light and well-built to withstand the rigors of off-road riding.

2005 – Harley Davidson

2005 was a good year for Harleys. The Road King, in particular, is the best model from this year and has been a favorite of many bikers to date. It was considered to be the smoothest running of all the bikes built in the new millennium and has a reputation for being very reliable, as well as looking great. The Road King is often recommended for use on longer road trips.

2008 – Honda

Despite technically being a 2009 model, Honda’s “Big Red” model was released in 2008, which is why it’s featured under this year. Big, bold and beautiful, this motorcycle was originally designed for comfortable long distance travel. Since it’s such a new model, chances are you won’t find many used, but if you do, they should still be in excellent condition.

There are plenty of different models in different years that will be excellent investments, as well, but these are some of the absolute best.

What to Look for in a Used Motorcycle

No matter what the make or year, it’s important that you take a careful look at any motorcycle that you are interested in buying used. Even the seller might not realize what the problems with the bike are, so you’ll need to check everything. The best used motorcycles will only have a few minor issues, such as scratched paint or loose bolts. These can be easily be fixed. It’s the bigger problems that you really need to watch for.

Here is a quick list of what to check:

Battery: Does it hold a charge? Check by starting and turning off the bike a couple of times.

Lights: Check all lights, front and back. Bulbs can be replaced, but smashed or flickering lights will need a little more work, which can be expensive.

Engine: Does it start up easily? The bike should be able to run without having to constantly use the throttle.

Gauges: Make sure the gauges all work, since these are important for the information they give about your speed and the amount of gas left.

Feel: When you take the bike out for a test run, does it make odd noises or vibrate more than it should?

Buying a used motorcycle is about more than just saving money, you’ll be getting a bike that has a special feel to it, particularly if you opt for a vintage or classic model. This is something that more and more people are moving toward since it is far more cost effective and a better investment to go with a second hand bike, as opposed to brand new.

About the Author:
This article was written on behalf of CycleLeeg – http://www.cycleclassifieds.us , a popular online motorcycle classifieds website.

Keyword tags: motorcycles, motorcycles, used, years, vintage, new

The first thing that strikes you about the Kia Soul is the way it looks like a child’s toy that has been designed by a hyperactive, caffeine-addicted, Attention Deficit Disorder sufferer. The thinking behind the aesthetic design is obviously Kia’s attempt to shake of the drab and cheap impression that many people have of the brand. The boxy body, with odd curves, tall roofline and high ground clearance does look a lot more striking than anything else that has rolled out of Kia’s Korean production line, but is it all a bit too much for the classically reserved British palette?

Early indications suggest that the Kia Soul will most probably fit very nicely into the market; unavoidable really considering it is trying so hard to impress every single type of car owner. The sporty looks will attract the youngsters, the ecologically-sound engine will impress the ‘Green’-set, the roomy interior will persuade those of us with families and the price-tag will convince those who have recently been credit crunched. For one car to attempt to corner four vastly different markets is a very brave move but one that could potentially blow up in Kia’s face.

The Kia Soul is available with 1.6 Litre Petrol or Turbo Diesel option, both generating an impressive 124bhp and producing 55.4 mpg, so it is relatively powerful for its class and isn’t a gas-guzzler either. Its notable 137 g/km Co2 emissions are also worth mentioning in this increasingly environmentally aware society. All in all everything under the bonnet performs above expectation, which is a rare boon for Kia, who seem to stick rigidly to the engineering principle of ‘never surprise or overwhelm’. That is until the Soul popped its odd-looking head over the horizon.

Inside the Kia Soul is a relatively comfortable and pleasant place to be. The interior has obviously been as well considered as the exterior. Clearly laid-out controls, good driving position and firm but comfy seats show that Kia have the driver’s pleasure at the forefront of their designing minds. The Kia also comes with air-con as standard to keep you feeling cool, whilst the Soul continues looking cool.

The handling is light, progressive and responsive, which is everything the prospective supermini owner is looking for in a car. The 16inch basic wheel option is also oddly superior to the 18-inch option, which somehow manages to multiply the feedback of every tiny bump thousands of times. Other than that, the Kia Soul provides a generally smooth and enjoyable ride.

The Kia Soul will be available for around £12,000, which slots it in at the lower end of family-sized hatchbacks. Its nearest competition is likely to be the new Fiesta, which we already know will trounce the Kia Soul in every conceivable way. What Kia will be looking for however, is to make a little headway into the market and hopefully convince a few naysayers that Kia can manufacture cars with character and good performance.

About the Author:
Pete J Ridgard is a writer and a car enthusiast. He currently writes for the automotive industry. Here he discusses the brand new Kia Soul. http://www.sandicliffe.co.uk/new-cars/kia/soul.aspx?Manufacturer=25

Keyword tags: Kia, Kia Soul, New Kia, New Kia Soul, Used Kia, cars, automotive

Ask the vast majority of lorry drivers and owner operators if the year has been kind to them, and they’ll most likely laugh. Spiralling fuel costs, extra legislation and low emission zones have made the life of the road haulage driver even more stressful than before. So when looking through the haulage news stories of the last 12 months, it would be very easy to focus on the negatives outlined above, but instead I have chosen to look at those news articles which make you do a double take – ones which are a little off the wall.

So without further ado, here are 5 of my favourite unusual lorry news stories of 2008:

Lorry Driver Wasn’t Using Mobile for Calls While Driving

The recent laws preventing motorists and haulage workers from using their mobile phone while driving have caught many an inattentive driver, but one German lorry driver managed to escape punishment with an unlikely explanation. When Walter Klein was pulled over by police with his mobile phone to his ear, he claimed he was not making a call, but using it as an ear warmer to ease his ear ache. Whether you believe this unlikely explanation or not, the court did – when he produced his telephone bill which showed he had not been making a call when he was pulled over!

Sceptics reckon that he might have been either calling his voice mail (which leaves no trace on some phone bills) or in the process of dialling, but Klein’s explanation was accepted: “I had an earache and it was being made worse because the cab had not heated up yet – it takes a while on a big rig. So I grabbed the phone that had been on charge and put it to my ear, and that was when I was stopped by police.”

Truckers’ Revenge on Clarkson

Jeremy Clarkson has managed to anger a few people in his many years on the television, but lorry drivers were left angry after a feature on Top Gear where he jokingly implied that all road haulage drivers murdered prostitutes and had an easy job. The controversial presenter was taking part in a lorry driving task when he said: “It’s a hard job: change gear, change gear, check mirror, murder a prostitute, change gear, change gear, murder. That’s a lot of effort in a day.”

But perhaps truckers had the last laugh when T-Enterprise developed a computer game entitled Run Clarkson Run, where players control a cartoon version of the Top Gear presenter as he is chased by angry lorry drivers and owner operators. To win points, the player must help Clarkson dodge the trucks and grab piles of BBC licence payer’s money. The Managing Director of T Enterprise commented that “the whole family can spend hours playing the game, running over and killing Jeremy Clarkson just for fun.”

For God’s Sake, Use a Map!

Many of us have learned the hard way that it’s best not to put too much faith in your SatNav when driving a lorry, but clearly one Syrian road haulage worker was not party to this advice when he went on a 1,600 mile detour! Necdet Bakimci was taking luxury cars from Turkey to Gibraltar, but his SatNav sent him and his 32 tonne lorry down a narrow lane in Skegness towards the North Sea.

Amazed onlookers enquired what he was doing, and he explained he was looking for Coral Road on Gibraltar. The confusion was said to arrive because his SatNav listed Gibraltar as British territory, so sent him towards the mainland. Fortunately, Mr Bakimci wasn’t an owner operator, so could arrange for his company to ship the cars from Birmingham and begin his long journey home – onlookers reported that he surprisingly “didn’t seem too upset.”

Queen Gets Unexpected Delivery

What happens when you name your pub the “Windsor Castle”? Well, you get a lot of delivery mixups. The pub regularly gets misdirected post, but for the first time a lorry driver’s delivery was mistakenly taken to the Queen’s residence instead of the drinking establishment! Ahead of England’s 4-1 win over Croatia, the pub had ordered 2,000 pints of lager which were – you guessed it – delivered to the actual Windsor Castle. The problem was eventually cleared up and the pub got the 12 barrels they were expecting, 3 hours later than planned. A Windsor Castle (the royal abode!) spokesman said “It was very funny. But there’s no way the Queen sits down in the evening with a pint.”

Sweet Explosion for Trucker

Finally, a lorry driver had a lucky escape after his truck caught light forcing the 60,000 cans of Ambrosia custard and rice pudding to explode “like fireworks”. He was flagged down by motorists who could see the blaze and escaped with seconds to spare before the cans went off “like thousands of gunshots.” No one was injured in the fire and the whole thing was all over in 20 minutes from the first whiff of burned sugar and smoke to the burned out remains of the truck – nobody was injured.

About the Author:
Lyall Cresswell is the Managing Director for the Transport Exchange Group. Haulage Exchange (http://www.haulageexchange.co.uk), their freight exchange for the 7.5 tonne and above market, offers an independent environment for its members to find that next road haulage job.

Keyword tags: haulage, lorry, lorry drivers, owner operators, road haulage,