Hi Paul
I've read the responses to your query, now I'll add my own four cents worth. It's great to keep a daily journal or diary, but if you really want to "be all you can be" as a writer, you need instruction. Writing is like any other skill, it takes practice and it's best to have some experienced teachers. I installed carpet for a living in my early twenties, and I wouldn't recommend people learn to install carpet simply buy buying the necessary tools and "gettting out there and installing carpet." You may indeed stumble upon some basics, but you will remain stunted in your skill, and no one will ever hire you to install carpet.
Writing is no different. We are all born with varying degrees of natural aptitude/talent, but those who work hard and get the proper instruction are going to outshine those who do not. Please feel free to email me examples of your writing at [email protected].
If there is a college or university near you, enroll in a beginners writing course. If there is no college or university near you, there are most likely adult education courses being held at a local high school. If not, there are some excellent schools and courses online. The University of Phoenix offers some online courses, but they're a bit pricey. There are other online schools that offer a variety of courses tailored to your specific interests. Do a Google search for online writing courses. www.winghill.com is one such school, and their courses are quite good. Their Comprehensive Writing course will teach you to write for many dfferent markets. Check out many such schools and find one that resonates with you.
If you cannot afford any courses, then continue to do as you're doing and use books as a guide. However, you also need to be an avid reader to be a good writer. READ. A LOT. Don't limit yourself to a specific genre, rather read books of all kinds and pay close attention to what you're reading. You can get an instinctive feel for writing by paying close attention to character and plot development, dialogue, and other basics.
Finally, don't listen to defeatists who tell you that making a living as a writer is unlikely. On the contrary, if you learn to diversify and for many markets, such as magazines and newspapers, as well as television and commercials, you can make a good living as a writer. Those who limit themselves to one type of writing will have a far more difficult time of it than someone who becomes versatile. So, become versatile! You just about guarantee yourself a decent living if you do this. You may not become wealthy (though you may, who am I to say?), but you can indeed make a good living.
Again, feel free to email me anytime.
Nate
That Nate Guy
JoinedPosts by That Nate Guy
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31
Are there any writers on here?
by PaulJ inok, i work in a dull 9-5 job that is busy but quite boring.
i guess by being a jw in the past i've been encouraged all along to be settled, work to get by.
my focus was supposed to be serving jehovah and nothing else.
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That Nate Guy
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Jehovah and Satan were the same in the Bible? Jewish Polytheism
by VM44 ini have read a few postings (which of course i cannot find now) concerning the early jewish beliefs were of a polytheistic nature.
many gods were believed in, and jehovah was only one.
i also recall that mention was made that the ancient jewish believed that satan and jehovah were the same god!
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That Nate Guy
Hello. Yes, I can elaborate on thsi topic to the tune of 228 pages. I spent nearly four years researching and writing on this topic. The result was my book Jehovah Unmasked! The True Identity of the Bible-God Revealed.
A pic of my books cover has already been pasted on this site by someone other than myself, in another section. They also put up a hyperlink to it, so I don't see any problem with adding the link here too.
http://jcnot4me.com/Items/theology/JEHOVAH_UNMASKED/jehovah_unmasked.htm
Be advised that some folks are breaking the law and sending out an earlier form of my @copyrighted book as a Word document. This probably makes the lawbreaker feel clever, but they are simply law-breakers, and their actions will eventually bear bitter fruit. This is all the more unfortunate when it is soneone who professes Christ who is stealing from me.
I know you'll enjoy the book, and will have many "ahHA!" moments.
Nathaniel J. Merritt Met. D.
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I'm not buying it! That people left the Witnesses and became Christians.
by free2beme ini tried it, could not swallow all the lies and misinformation they had.
i am sorry, but even if you deny the whole witness faith, there is still parts to christianity that they pointed out that you can not just ignore and act like it is okay to join another faith that is christian.
are you going to become catholic when your know their history?
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That Nate Guy
Why join a religion at all? Whats the point? Why not find some spiritual practices and principles that resonate with you and make your OWN path?
I no longer understand why people want someone else to do their thinking for them, or be part of a brainless herd.
THAT NATE GUY -
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I'm not buying it! That people left the Witnesses and became Christians.
by free2beme ini tried it, could not swallow all the lies and misinformation they had.
i am sorry, but even if you deny the whole witness faith, there is still parts to christianity that they pointed out that you can not just ignore and act like it is okay to join another faith that is christian.
are you going to become catholic when your know their history?
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That Nate Guy
Interestingly enough, those JayDubs who embrace another religion after they leave the WTBTS or are shunned, their number one bondage of choice is the Muslim religion. After that, the Jewish religion. Then the Mormons. Among Americans, the Mormons are the most popular next religion. A step way up, since the Mormons tend to be upbeat people.
Of those people in mental institutions who stated a religious preferance, JayDubs are Numero Uno. I wonder why.
THAT NATE GUY -
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Is it proper for a Christian to carry mace?
by gringojj inmy wifes dillusional mother has decided to carry mace for protection against her alleged stalker.
i wont even get into that craziness but i was just wondering if the wts has ever said anything against mace.
i realize its not deadly but neither are stun guns and i doubt they are ok. any thoughts?
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That Nate Guy
My convictions on violence and self-protection are my own, not the dictates of anyone else. I'm not a pacifist, though I think most wars (such as Dubya's Folly) are stupid and pointless. Would you simply stand by while someone was raping or murdering someone you love? No? Good. You're sane. Mace and Tazers are fine in my book. Especially as Amerika continues to degenerate.
THAT NATE GUY -
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Does blood freak you out????
by dezpbem in.
i've had this phobia of blood and needles ever since i was given the anti-blood programming.. anyone else have his phobia as well?.
i'm wondering if i'm the only person to have this fear.
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That Nate Guy
(I've had this phobia of blood and needles ever since I was given the anti-blood programming. Anyone else have his phobia as well? I'm wondering if i'm the only person to have this fear.)
You aren't alone. I became a vegetarian after being shunned, and to this day I cannot even TOUCH blood. Now it's because I know a sentient being was killed, and the blood is a disease carrier, but in the beginning it was due to WTBTS indoctrination.
THAT NATE GUY -
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Did you feel religious
by vitty in.
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when you were a witness did you feel like a christian, .................i always thought the born again seemed more "christian", even though i thought we had the truth .
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That Nate Guy
Religious. Yes. I was intelligent enough, and with enough education and self-awareness, to realize Jehovah's Witnesses are a species of Religion. I simply thought we were the One True Religion, worshipping the One True God, the Nutcase in the Sky.
"Goin up to the Nutcase in the Sky, that's where I'm gonna go when I die.."
By the way, I was of the "Anointed Class."
THAT NATE GUY -
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What have we to offer ???
by vitty inmy husband and son and i stopped going to meetings about 18 months ago.
i still have a daughter, her husband, his mum and dad, my elderly mum, my 2 sisters and nieces still in.
i would love to tell them what ive found out but i think it would backfire so hold my piece.
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That Nate Guy
My husband and son and I stopped going to meetings about 18 months ago. I still have a daughter, her husband, his mum and dad, my elderly mum, my 2 sisters and nieces still in. I would love to tell them what ive found out but I think it would backfire so hold my piece. They have a view of everlasting life, a safe life with friends and security, a life with a hope for the future!!! If I told them the "truth" that I know, what do I give them in exchange? at the time it was I who went looking and found. Is it my duty to tell them ?? What the hell do I tell them. what do I GIVE them.???????
Hi. If there's a God, then God is God regardless of whether or not the WTBTS ever existed. I would offer them a variety of spiritual practices and principles rather than a new set of dogmas to enslave their minds. "God" isn't a dogma, or an autocratic religious org, or a book. You know that, but take a step into some spiritual practices. I've been meditating for thirty-two years now, having started about a year after I was disfellowshipped. It's a wonderful spiritual practice. It doesn't come with any dogmas attached or any religious despots to drag you down.
Chanting can be very beneficial, as can be prayer and contemplation.
Simply because the WTBTS and the JayDubs (a term I coined 33 years ago) are a crock, doesn't mean there isn't anything out there for you and your relatives. You certainly aren't doing them any favors by not helping them out of the Organization. Come on, you know as well as I do they aren't really happy.
I still teach meditation (Zazen, a breathing meditation) for free online, so if you're interested let me know.
THAT NATE GUY -
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"Jehovah Unmasked!"
by sf inhttp://people.lulu.com/users/index.php?fhomepage=225208
http://www.lulu.com/content/167431
the author, nathaniel j. merritt, has been hitchhiking his way to enlightenment since he was a teen.
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That Nate Guy
Sounds like he is a Christian Gnostic. Certainly the WBTS is not the only controlling group or person out there. There are a lot of kooks out there. I refuse to be led. I may be taught, but final judgement is left up to me. I think this is the only way one can approach such things.
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"Jehovah Unmasked!"
by sf inhttp://people.lulu.com/users/index.php?fhomepage=225208
http://www.lulu.com/content/167431
the author, nathaniel j. merritt, has been hitchhiking his way to enlightenment since he was a teen.
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That Nate Guy
Having taken more than a little psychology, I could hazard several guess about you, but I will abstain.
Oh, and thank you! I've often considered a little psychoanalysis. Are you offering free sessions?
No, Daystar, but I often refer people. I could probably find an excellent psychiatrist or psychologist in your area if you feel the need.(Really, I don't much appreciate your sidelong ad hominem comments towards me. Although, since you misunderstood what I was saying (likely my own fault), I will overlook it. I will also mention that despite the interest I have in the subject, your reactions to comments left on a board you are obviously unfamiliar with is not quite working in your favor should you wish to gain interest in selling your books, literature, etc. here)
20-Oct-05 12:32 Oct 20, 2005 by daystar:
Nor do I appreciate yours Daystar. What, you think I'm just going to belly up for people here and play dead? People who make snap judgements about folks they've never met or even emailed with? LOL. I didn't come here to sell books, my book is doing very well thank you. I came here because these posts are readable on Google and I wanted to answer several people who were saying negative things about me. I did that.
I'm a really sociable fellow, but snide remarks and attacks are responded to in kind. Turning the cheek doesn't really work, so I don't indulge in it. I especially detest people who make snide attacks and then play the martyr when they get their fanny knocked upside their heads. If people make nice I make nice too.
I apologize for misunderstanding your initial post about me. I'm still not sure I understand it, but I believe you that no insult was intended.
Your NOT in Joe Hovah,
THAT NATE GUY